La Grande-Motte is a commune in the Hérault département in Occitanie in southern France. It is a popular seaside resort and port, built in the 1960s and 1970s. La Grande-Motte is characterized by homogeneous architecture; many of the prominent buildings are pyramidal in form. With 2 million tourists per year it is one of the favorite resorts of the French.

La Grande-Motte, the greenest Mediterranean seaside town in Europe, welcomes you at the gateway to the Camargue and Provence natural parks. 70% of its territory is covered by green spaces and natural areas. It is part of “Heritage XX th century” for its unusual architecture. What marks La Grande-Motte is its aesthetic and architectural unity, made up of buildings in pyramidal shape. Traffic in La Grande-Motte gives pride of place to pedestrians and cyclists. Nearly 25 km of “soft” (non-motorized) roads are built within the city walls.

La Grande-Motte is also a nautical paradise with its nautical center, its Mediterranean training center for offshore racing, its yacht club and its countless activities that can be practiced at sea or on the Ponant pond.

Seaside resort and marina near Montpellier, whose work began in 1965 on virgin land during the ” Racine mission “, la Grande-Motte is characterized by great architectural homogeneity, the most visible elements of which are the pyramid-shaped buildings. La Grande-Motte was awarded the Jan. 19, 2010 the label “Heritage 20th century”, awarded by the Ministry of Culture and Communication. It is the only urban complex in France of this size to have received this national label.

La Grande-Motte is located on the Languedoc coast. It is bounded by two ponds, the Gold pond to the north-west and the Ponant pond to the east, fed by the Vidourle. To the south, the Mediterranean Sea, and more precisely the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes (included in the Gulf of Lion), borders its three hectares of beaches.

It is surrounded by the communes of Mauguio (Mauguio-Carnon) to the west and north, as well as by Aigues-Mortes and Grau-du-Roi to the east. These last two belong to the Gard department. It is accessed by two expressways of 20 km each which connect it to the A9 and the towns of Montpellier, Lunel and Nîmes.

History
Built at the end of the 1960s as part of the Mission Racine, an operation to develop the Languedoc-Roussillon coast, La Grande-Motte was entrusted to an architect and philosopher: Jean Balladur. For nearly 30 years, he shaped the city he conceived as an ode to the sun and to vacations. It is inspired by the site of Teotihuacan in Mexico and the work of Oscar Niemeyer: Brasilia. It gives the neighborhoods of the city different assignments and personalities. The masculine in the City Center (the Levant), the feminine in the Sunset. Today, Jean Balladur’s work is recognized and appreciated by architects and art historians around the world. The city has been awarded the “Heritage 20th century” in January 2010.

The current territory of Grande-Motte is an old part of the municipality of Mauguio; At the time, this territory was an almost uninhabited natural area because only one farm was installed on this territory, moreover occupied by a swamp unsuitable for urbanization, isolated from the surrounding villages by the pond of Gold.

Beginning in the 1960s and the Racine Mission, La Grande-Motte is a resort created from scratch with the port of pleasure, buildings, campsites… The aim was to divert tourists from Spanish destinations of the time. At La Grande-Motte, the architect Jean Balladur breaks with the tradition of the picturesque architecture of the seaside towns which favors the luxury palace and the Grand Hotel, the seaside promenade lined with palm trees, the casino or the thermal baths for a well-to-do clientele who prolong their socialite season there.

Jean Balladur’s project was much criticized at the time because, responding to the democratization of mass tourism, it created sports grounds, a convention center, shops, a beach bordered by a simple pedestrian path, a plan serving comb beaches, facades perpendicular to the coast, eliminating the hierarchy between apartments with views and poorly exposed accommodation. His work is especially marked by the ziggurat- type buildings reminiscent of the pre-Columbian pyramids (inspired in particular by the famous pyramids of Teotihuacán, in Mexico) and the modern architectures of Brazil that he visited. The objective of these 60 ° pyramids is to provide different points of view to each inhabitant who has a balcony and terrace on each floor and to achieve a smooth transition between the coast and the Cévennes mountain range. Through this architectural achievement, the city received the label “Heritage xx th century” the Jan. 19, 2010.

The key dates of construction
In 1965, the first dredging machines appeared in the middle of the swamps. In 1966, a dredger excavated the port, then the Ponant pond and drew the materials necessary for the backfill providing the foundations of the future city as well as to raise the ground of the future station by two meters. The works of the port really started inSeptember 1966, the Ponant pond was completed in May 1967. The July 22, 1967, Minister Raymond Marcellin inaugurates the port of La Grande Motte. And a few months later, the October 24, 1967, General de Gaulle, who lands in a helicopter at the site of the quai d’honneur, comes to visit the La Grande Motte site.

The Week-End and the Reymar are the first buildings whose projects have been launched; but, while they are still under construction, the works are interrupted to allow the construction of Provence and the Grand Pavois which emerge from the ground on the quai Pompidou inDecember 1967. Between 1973 and 1974, La Grande Pyramide, which is the reverse reflection of the Saint-Loup peak, was built in the northern sector of the Port and encouraged the return of the wind accumulated in the city to the outside of the port to facilitate the outing to sea for boaters.

The 1 st October 1974, by municipal decree, La Grande-Motte separates from Mauguio; a street name local (instead of 1-October-1974) recalls the event. InJuly 1975is laid the first stone of the Church of St. Augustine, one of the bells, classified, the xvii th century, comes from the Cathedral of Nimes and features besides the weapons, the famous crocodile strapped to his palm. Finally, inOctober 1975, a referendum is organized to choose the name of the inhabitants: they will be “Grands-Mottois”. So decided the 344 favorable voters (130 having voted against). From 1979, the first buildings in the Couchant district were built. The construction of buildings was spread over the next twenty years.

The December 2, 1982, the new town hall is inaugurated; then inJanuary 1983, the convention center comes into operation. In 1986, the “Floridian” type golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones was inaugurated, followed in 1987 by the thalassotherapy center. In 1988, the city had a college. The June 21, 2002 Jean Balladur, who died a few days earlier (the June 15), is buried in La Grande Motte.

Resort town
The resort town of La Grande Motte was largely built between 1960 and 1975 on virgin beachfront dunes, and is artificially irrigated to create a green environment. The architect of the project, Jean Balladur, drew inspiration from pre-Columbian pyramids such as Teotihuacan, Mexico; and from modernist architecture in Brazil, especially the work of architect Oscar Niemeyer. Balladur developed the master plan for the seaside resort on a site of 750 hectares comprising 450 hectares of land and 300 hectares of wetland. The plan included principles for settlement, with guidelines for each plot, including zones for camping, a town centre, a marina, and a city park. The landscaper Pierre Pillet collaborated on the project, selecting plant species that were tolerant of the marine climate.

Jean Balladur imagined a green city. Parking was placed no more than 600 meters away from the beach, to allow visitors to walk there, but keeping all development away from the beach itself. The project incorporated large open spaces surrounding the main buildings. Squares and parks, and sports and leisure services were also planned for the new city. Public and private beaches, the marina and water sports facilities complement the design. The Palais de Congrès (conference centre), a casino and the church of St. Augustine are also key elements.

La Grande Motte Architecture
Jean Balladur was chosen by the state in 1962 to design, ex-nihilo, a seaside resort. What is not yet La Grande Motte will become the work of his life and the dream of every architect: to build on a blank page, the ideal city. They were only two, before him, in the 20th century, to be able to take up this challenge: Oscar Niemeyer in Brasilia and Le Corbusier in Chandigarh. For nearly 30 years, Jean Balladur will give the best of himself in this unique project in France and in Europe. He endowed La Grande Motte with an architectural personality which will mark the spirits and will not leave indifferent, often creating endless controversies.

It gives the city a “history” that it draws from the source of extinct civilizations such as these truncated pyramids inspired by the pre-Columbian site of Teotihuacan. He turns his city project into a realized utopia: the city is a park of 22,000 trees where pedestrians and cyclists reign supreme. Art is everywhere, it has a “use value” and takes the most diverse forms, fountains, showers, games for children. Some 40 years after its official foundation, on October 1, 1974, the time for controversy has ceased. The time has come for recognition and assertiveness. The work of Jean Balladur is today studied by architecture schools throughout Europe. The specialized press examines this phenomenon. Creators and designers are now inspired by the “city of pyramids”.

Singular City
La Grande Motte, a unique and futuristic town by the Mediterranean Sea. La Grande Motte surprises and leaves its visitors speechless. Here, the feminine of Summerset responds to the masculine of the Levant, light and shadow play on the facades of buildings with the purist geometry of modern architecture.

A true work of art by Jean Balladur, visionary architect, La Grande Motte is a unique city, endowed with a living architectural heritage. Several guided tours are available to decode all the symbols and discover the utopian city, built on a human scale.

The Pleasures of Water, Thrills and fun like nowhere else. You will have fun thanks to the many nautical activities of La Grande Motte. On its fine sandy beaches, the days promise to be stylish and pleasant.

Sustainable and Green, Man in the center of the city, ubiquitous vegetation and gentle traffic. The art of living at La Grande Motte can be summed up in two words: sustainable and green.

Seaside Resort
More than a seaside resort, a real fun and solar experience. In family or in tribe with a drink in hand or in a flamingo buoy. At La Grande Motte, you will experience your most trendy and designer holidays of your life.

Stylish beach, beautified by designers. Creations never seen elsewhere and sensational activities for adrenaline. The tone is set, your next stay at La Grande Motte will be trendy. In addition to the 7 kilometers of public sandy beach, La Grande Motte offers many private beaches: cozy, festive or family atmosphere, there is something for everyone.

20th Century Heritage
The Great Pyramid, Point Zéro or the Lampadophores footbridge… In 2010, La Grande Motte obtained the “20th Century Heritage” label granted by the Ministry of Culture. For the first time in the history of this distinction, the entire city is being consecrated. The work carried out by Jean Balladur, chief architect, with La Grande Motte, represented a major step in modern universal seaside architecture. He upset the codes of architecture of the 1960s. It is his majestic work of art. A true Icon. A solar creation. La Grande Motte, utopian city, signed by Jean Balladur.

While visiting the city, you will be confronted with its full dimension and its esotericism. It evokes both the pre-Columbian pyramids of Téotihuacan in Mexico and the dialogue between Yin and Yang. The architect-philosopher used concrete as an artistic medium to produce varying shapes. By reversing and repeating on the facades, its patterns create a rhythm and an identity specific to each building. Jean Balladur also hid there symbols and philosophical meanings. To you to discover them.

Garden City
An oasis or a green paradise. In the shade of the pyramids, alongside the conch shells or in the silence of the Ponant, thousands of plants thrive. La Grande Motte is an immense green setting. Green city, as its creator imagined it, La Grande Motte takes the environment and ecology into account by emphasizing human well-being. The city claims 70% of its territory in green spaces and natural areas.

In La Grande Motte, the plants were chosen for their capacity to accept sunlight, their resistance to salt spray and their low water requirements. The landscape sheltered from the pyramids was created by Pierre Pillet, landscape architect, and Michel Germond, forest engineer.

Architectural heritage

The redoubt of the Grand Travers
The fortified tower (La Redoute) dating from the xviii th century. It is an old Watchtower or Signal Tower, built at the same period as that of Palavas-les-Flots (the Redoubt of Ballestras), the Aresquiers Frontignan or even Grau du Roi. It is part of a set of identical buildings that were fortified along the coast. Built in 1743 by the military engineer Jacques Philippe Mareschal by royal order from Louis XV, it served to protect the coast from the dangers linked to the War of the Austrian Succession.

Located near the beach of Grand-Travers, it is the oldest building built on the territory of the municipality. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1996.

Various buildings and public buildings
The Town Hall Square: originally, no town hall was planned, since the Grande-Motte is part of the town of Mauguio. The 1 st October 1974, La Grande-Motte becomes a town in its own right. The town hall is inaugurated inDecember 1982. Jean Balladur, architect of the Grande-Motte, is at the origin of the project and in particular of the choice of its location. It was then Pierre Dezeuze who gave this building the face we know it today. On the floor of the square is drawn a labyrinth in red paving and a fountain, source of life, represents the backdrop of this square.
The Church of St. Augustine: the 1 st stone was laid on July 13, 1975. The church is made up of two curves, which envelop an exterior space and an interior space. Two parables rise to the sky to form an oval, in which are installed two bells, one of which is inscribed MH dating from 1603 and which bears the inscription “My tone calls the people”. This bell was offered by the bishopric in 1982, it was stored in the chapel of the penitents in Montagnac, it originally comes from the city of Nîmes and bears the arms of the city of Gard. A second bell was blessed and installed in the bell tower in October 2014 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Grande-Motte.
The Jean-Balladur Convention Center: Jean Balladur wants to give a decidedly different form to this gathering place compared to the neighboring pyramids. It is inspired for this by the shape of a pebble. Inaugurated in January 1983, its ellipses, which resemble two barrels, are “wells of science” where delegates drink.

Residential buildings
The Great Pyramid, built in 1974 and designed by Jean Balladur, taking inspiration from the Baie des Anges marinas (Villeneuve-Loubet). It is fifteen stories high, therefore, it dominates the whole city. It creates a link between the male part of the city (tall, straight pyramids in the city center) and the female part (sunset area with pyramids with curved and rounded shapes). It is symmetrically opposed to the shapes of the Saint-Loup peak which overlooks it. It is the tallest building in the city.
The Zero Point: this building is leaning and reinforces the “dune original” dune five meter, higher than the others, gave its name to the Grande Motte (the Grande Motte name originates from the field vineyard which was located near this dune). Initially, the zero point served as town hall, school and gendarmerie.

Coastline
Plage du Couchant: not far from the marina, it is a family beach and water sports.
Point Zéro beach and town center: along the seafront promenade with restaurants, ice cream parlors and shops.
Grand Travers beach: the wildest beach. The dunes and the pine forest located upstream of this beach are protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral. Its waters, for their part, are certified as a Natura 2000 site to work towards the conservation of their Posidonia meadows and their underwater life. In the continuity of Petit Travers (Carnon), it is one of the most popular beaches for the inhabitants of the urban agglomeration of Montpellier.
The pond of Ponant: marine pond shared with the town of Grau-du-Roi (30), it offers a windsurfing spot known in the region for its easy access.

Beaches
Discover the reflections of the Mediterranean all along the 7 kilometers of fine sandy beaches. In a surprising setting, at the foot of immense conch shells or pyramids, the walk promises to be extraordinary and the sunbathing unique.

Couchant Beach
Couchant beach will appeal to families and water sports enthusiasts. At mid-term of the beach, you enjoy the proximity of shops and restaurants “Poniente shops.” Its part closest to the marina offers all possible and imaginable water sports: The Yacht Club offers equipment rental as well as courses (sailing, windsurfing, stand-up paddle, canoeing). A delimited area is dedicated to kitesurfing, when the weather is favorable. In the port is the departure point for leisure activities such as towed buoys, parasailing, jet skiing as well as stand up paddle. (In season)

Grand Travers Beach
The Grand Travers beach is a majestic sand area. This large and wide beach is the wildest of La Grande Motte. The dunes and the pine forest, located upstream from this beach, are protected by the Conservatoire du Littoral. Its waters, for their part, are certified as a Natura 2000 site to work towards the conservation of their Posidonia meadows and their underwater life. A small part of this beach is allowed for dogs, access n ° 60.

Downtown Beach
Along the downtown beach is the seafront promenade with its restaurants, ice cream parlors and shops. No road runs along this promenade. So you can stroll, sunbathe and bathe in peace.

Point Zéro Beach
Point Zéro is one of the most beautiful beaches in La Grande Motte, which saw the birth of the seaside town. Wider than that of the Town Center, the Point Zèro Beach is suitable for young children and adults. Accessible on foot or by bike, it offers holidaymakers a breath of fresh air. Dunes separate a pedestrian alley from Point Zéro beach. This walk gives you quick and peaceful access to the city center.

Bike Rides
Cycling is the smart idea of summer! Ideal for crossing the long shaded alleys of La Grande Motte to boost your holidays with oxygen, to explore the landscapes and sites to visit. With family, friends, and even with baby, whatever your practice there is a bike and routes for you, to discover the resort and these remarkable places through the intramural routes. Go further and go on an adventure from La Grande Motte by visiting the surroundings, their unmissable places and our favorites. Tasteful, cultural or traditional visits to the lands of the Camargue and the Pays de l’Or will be at your disposal for short and long walks.

More than a mode of travel, cycling is an art of living combining well-being, protection of nature, the environment and slowlife. The many cycle paths in the shade of the foliage allow you to travel safely. The many bicycle racks located at strategic points of the city offer cyclists the possibility of stopping anywhere to take a swim, enjoy the beach, and local activities and delicacies. Bike rental companies are there to offer you a wide choice of mountain bikes, hybrid bikes or VAEs corresponding to your level and style of ride.

For seasoned cyclists doing a road trip by bike, you can stay in one of our 3 establishments labeled “bicycle reception”. Half-board or full-board formulas will be offered. If you want to have lunch while enjoying the nature and the landscape, packed lunches made with fresh and local products will also be available on request.