Mauguio is a commune located in the Hérault department, in the Occitania region (France).
Exposed to a Mediterranean climate, it is drained by the Bas-Rhône Languedoc irrigation canal, the Rhône to Sète canal, the Salaison, the Lansargues canal, the Cadoule, the Bérange, the Aigues-Vives stream, the Balaurie stream, the Jasse stream and various other small streams.
The town has a remarkable natural heritage: two Natura 2000 sites (the “Mauguio pond” and the “Palavasian pond and Estagnol pond”), four protected areas (the “Castillone marsh,” the “Etang de la Castillone” de l’Or,” “Lido de l’Or” and the Petite Camargue) and nine natural areas of ecological, fauna and flora interest.
Mauguio is an urban, coastal commune that has 16,596 inhabitants (as of 2021), after having experienced a sharp increase in population since 1962. It is in the urban unit of Mauguio and is part of the Montpellier catchment area.
The city is located at the gateway to the Camargue, with its ponds, canals, bulls and flamingos.
It’s a popular part of the Amethyst Coast of the Mediterranean resorts of France.
In order to clearly highlight its attachment to its seaside resort, Carnon, located on the edge of the Gulf of Lion, the official website of the Mauguio town hall presents the town under the name “Mauguio-Carnon”.
Main attractions
- Saint-Jacques de Mauguio Church.
- Saint-Jean-de-Malte Church in Carnon.
- Temple of the United Protestant Church of France in Carnon.
- Temple of the United Protestant Church of France in Mauguio.
- The castle of the counts-bishops of Melgueil was built from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is today divided into several private houses and protected as historical monuments. A campaign of archaeological excavations in April 2012 in the garden adjoining the Château des Comtes-Évêques de Melgueil revealed that this castle mound is to date the largest artificial feudal mound known in Europe.
- The Salaison cabins, where every year, on weekends in May, the “La Cabane Trempée” plastic arts exhibition is held.
- The Mertens footbridge, nicknamed Gruyère bridge because of the oculus which illuminate the interior, which connects the two banks of the port of Mauguio-Carnon. This footbridge built in 1968 by the architect Mertens was restored in 2011.
- The First World War memorial.
- Carnon and its Petit Travers beach
The marina
Well equipped, the resort offers many possibilities of accommodation and leisure activities for family holidays or with friends (many nightclubs are accessible nearby).
Le Petit Travers
A remarkable and unique area where dunes, wooded areas and beach follow one another. It is also a choice spot for kite-surfing enthusiasts! The first school in Europe was created in Carnon!
Shortest distances and how to get to?
The airport of Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport is located in the area of Fréjorgues in the town of Mauguio.
From Paris: 7 hr 13 min (756 km) via A6 and A7
From Toulouse: 2 hr 29 min (250 km) via A61 and A9
From Marseille: 2 hr 4 min (158 km) via A55
From Monaco: 3 hr 33 min (341 km) via A8
From Andorra: 4 hr 15 min (377 km) via A61
From Madrid: 8 hr 51 min (955 km) via A-2
From Moscow: 32 hr (3,266 km) via E30/M1
From Belgrade: 15 hr 55 min (1,644 km) via E70
From Istanbul: 26 hr (2,593 km) via E70
From Bern: 5 hr 50 min (599 km) via A1
Main information
Area: 49,56 km2
Population: 16 596
Coordinates: 43°37′01″N 4°00′30″E
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1
See also France travel guide
See also Spain travel guide
See also Pyrenees travel guide
See also Andorra travel guide
