Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone is a beautiful natural spot just south-west of Montpellier. Here you will find two wild beaches: Pilou beach to the west and Prévost beach to the east. The beaches have no buildings on them and stretch for almost nine kilometres along the coast. They are surrounded by nature, so they are a calm and peaceful place to swim, walk, or simply relax. Both beaches have flown the Pavillon Bleu (Blue Flag) label for thirty-one years. This label shows that the water is very clean and that the area is looked after with respect for nature. In summer, lifeguards watch over two swimming areas.
Getting to the beaches is easy and fun. You leave your car at the parking area (free from 1 to 10 April 2026, then paid from 11 April: 6€ for cars and 3€ for motorbikes). From there, you cross a footbridge over the Rhône-to-Sète canal. In the warmer months, a little tourist train takes visitors across the vineyards and lagoons, stopping near the Maguelone cathedral and ending at the sand dunes. The beaches are also great to reach by bike, and you can rent a bike in the village. Please note that dogs are not allowed on the little train, except guide dogs and assistance dogs. Because opening times for the parking, footbridge, and train change with the seasons, it is best to check the town's website before you go.
On the way to the sea, you can stop at the Saint-Pierre cathedral of Maguelone, a great example of Romanesque art. It was built in the 11th century on an island surrounded by marshes, and it was once an important religious and strategic place. The building mixes Romanesque and Gothic styles, with beautiful stained-glass windows and high vaulted ceilings. It has walls more than two metres thick, which make it feel like a real fortress. After being abandoned, it was restored in the 1960s and is now open to the public, welcoming more than 200,000 visitors every year. A straight staircase leads up to a gallery with a lovely view over the heart of the church, making it a perfect and peaceful stop between the countryside and the beach.