We are staying in Montpellier at the end of August. We have found the naturist beach at Palavas les Flots to be nice previously, but also want to visit Plage de l'Espiguette. Anyone visited recently? I understand the naturist section is to the east of the beach. Any comments welcome.
I've never been there, but the reports are good. It is a large, wide beach.
The car park is expensive (6 euros) but safe.
From what I read on the French forums the dunes have been badly damaged last Winter by the storms, and consequently the parking area had to be redesigned and is now better, with toilets.
Some people complain of the queues to get to and from the car park at "peak" hours. It may be worthwhile coming in early in the morning.
Beyond the marked naturist beach the atmosphere is not as good.
We visited at the end of August - weather beautiful, sea warm, beach spectacular. Long walks possible to the east along vast sands. Noticed some 'open air' activities towards the far end of the beach.
Arrived early and was able to park quite close to the naturist beach. However, when we left the parking area was choc-a-bloc, and I can imagine it being quite a problem queuing to leave this area and through Grau de Roi, which was busy. Well worth a visit.
I remember ushering in the new millenium on 1st January 2000 (OK, I know, we were wrong, it should have been 2001 - but we couldn't wait!) with a group of naturist friends at l'Espiguette, drinking champagne. But we were all heavily dressed - in Winter, the north wind across the marshy areas behind the beach is really bitter. We did get nude briefly, but no one was brave enough to swim.
We stay a full afternoon, last summer with my wife and my 3 children.
it is a very beautiful beach.
It is true that the parking is a little bit expensive, knowing that your are not sure to find a place (I mean close to the naturist part, which is at the end). But the nature is marvelous : only the sand, the dune and the see...
Perfect place to stay and have a good moment, alone, or with your family.
You can walk nude along the beach during a long time, but just know that only the first part of the naturist beach is "family" oriented, and preserved by a naturist Club (FFN). After the first part (large enough...) you will find some "specialties" : Gay, libertine, etc...
But don't worry, the limit is clear.
This is a place to know if we travel around.