Palavas-les-Flots (;

Languedocien Languedocien (French name, ), Languedocian, or Lengadocian () is an Occitan language, Occitan dialect spoken in rural parts of southern France such as Languedoc, Rouergue, Quercy, Agenais and southern Périgord. It is sometimes also called Lang ...

: ''Palavàs'') is a commune in the

Hérault Hérault (; , ) is a departments of France, department of the Regions of France, region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Southern France. Named after the Hérault (river), Hérault River, its Prefectures in France, prefecture is M ...

department in the Occitanie

region In geography, regions, otherwise referred to as areas, zones, lands or territories, are portions of the Earth's surface that are broadly divided by physical characteristics (physical geography), human impact characteristics (human geography), and ...

in southern France.

Geography

Palavas is a fishing village and seaside resort 9 km south of

Montpellier Montpellier (; ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the Departments of France, department of ...

at the Gulf of Lion and the Mediterranean. It lies on sand dunes that separate two lakes, the ''Étang de l'Arnel'' and the ''Étang du Méjean'', from the sea. Its neighbouring communities are Lattes, Pérols,

Mauguio Mauguio (; , primarily ''Melguelh'') is a Communes of France, commune in the Hérault Departments of France, department in southern France. History The city of Mauguio, seventh city of the Herault department and chief town of the district, i ...

and Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone. Its center is where the River Lez flows through a canalized section into the sea. Northwards it stretches to Mauguio; southwards expansion is halted by a military area and an area used by the

Ifremer The or Ifremer is an oceanographic institution in Brest, France. A state-run and funded scientific organization, it is France’s national integrated marine science research institute. Scope of works Ifremer focuses its research activities in ...

Climate

Palavas'

Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate ( ), also called a dry summer climate, described by Köppen and Trewartha as ''Cs'', is a temperate climate type that occurs in the lower mid-latitudes (normally 30 to 44 north and south latitude). Such climates typic ...

is warm and dry in the

summer Summer or summertime is the hottest and brightest of the four temperate seasons, occurring after spring and before autumn. At or centred on the summer solstice, daylight hours are the longest and darkness hours are the shortest, with day ...

and mild and humid in

winter Winter is the coldest and darkest season of the year in temperate and polar climates. It occurs after autumn and before spring. The tilt of Earth's axis causes seasons; winter occurs when a hemisphere is oriented away from the Sun. Dif ...

History

The village originated as a settlement of fishermen who sold their catch on the markets of Montpellier. The

Ancien Régime ''Ancien'' may refer to * the French word for " ancient, old" ** Société des anciens textes français * the French for "former, senior" ** Virelai ancien ** Ancien Régime ** Ancien Régime in France {{disambig ...

used the village as a coastal defence, building the Redoute de Ballestras. From the beginning of the 19th century, local tourists and seasonal activities were drawn to the village. When in 1872 a local train to and from Montpellier started service, seaside tourism really took off. This train operated until 1968 and was painted by Albert Dubout.

Population

Economy

The mainstay of Palavas' economy is tourism. It is one of the most popular places in this part of France's coastline. In the film ''

The Triplets of Belleville ''The Triplets of Belleville'' () is a 2003 animated adventure comedy-drama film written and directed by Sylvain Chomet. It was released as ''Belleville Rendez-vous'' in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The film is Chomet's first feature film a ...

(Les Triplettes de Belleville)'', there is a song about the village. Apart from strolling, bathing and tanning there are also two museums: one dedicated to Albert Dubout and one dedicated to the local train to Montpellier. The 45m high former local

water tower A water tower is an elevated structure supporting a water tank constructed at a height sufficient to pressurize a water distribution system, distribution system for potable water, and to provide emergency storage for fire protection. Water towe ...

can be seen from afar and features a revolving restaurant on top and
congress centre

International relations

Palavas-les-Flots is twinned with: * Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier,

Quebec Quebec is Canada's List of Canadian provinces and territories by area, largest province by area. Located in Central Canada, the province shares borders with the provinces of Ontario to the west, Newfoundland and Labrador to the northeast, ...

, * Bayside, Victoria, Australia.

References

External links

Official web site
Communes of Hérault Seaside resorts in France {{Hérault-geo-stub