Not really the right season, you might say. But amazingly, in temperatures rarely exceeding 6°C, there were plenty of tourists around; most French with a smattering of Italians and Americans. We based ourselves in Marseille at the excellent Radisson Blu Hotel, a mid-size contemporary hostelry overlooking the Vieux Port, and from there visited the ancient cities of Arles and Avignon, the medieval villages of Aigues-Mortes and Chateau Renard and the ‘Nouvelle Provence’ yachting haven of La Grande Motte; situated on re-claimed coastal swampland below Montpelier.

This intriguing Languedoc resort is a thriving summer boating venue that was purpose-built in the mid 1960s, the aim being to attract upper-echelon holidaymakers headed for the tourist resorts of Spain, further down the coast.
La Grande Motte is characterised by its distinctive pyramidal apartment buildings; created by ground-breaking architect Jean Balladur whose bold design has stood the test of time, remaining appealing to most. The action here centres around the 1 400 berth marina and with 300 days of sunshine a year and summer temperatures between 28°C and 32°C, this is a pleasing destination year-round.

March/April 2010 Issue

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