: Gruissan

Gruissan is a coastal town in the Aude department, near Narbonne. It has two parts: the old village on a hill with its Tour Barbacane watchtower, and the modern seaside resort (Gruissan-Plage) with its marina, salt flats, and famous wooden fishing chalets on stilts at Plage des Chalets.

There is no direct train station. The nearest TGV station is Narbonne (15 km). By car, the A9 motorway exit at Narbonne-Sud. Local buses from Narbonne serve Gruissan.

The old village is walkable. Gruissan-Plage is flat and spread out; a bicycle is ideal. A free shuttle bus connects the old village to the beach in summer.

The Tour Barberousse on the hill. The fishing chalets on stilts at Plage des Chalets. The salt flats (Salins de Gruissan) with flamingos. The modern marina.

Swimming, windsurfing, kitesurfing. Birdwatching in the salt flats. Hiking in the Clape massif. Guided tours of the salt works.

Seafood: grilled fish, oysters from Leucate lagoon, bouillabaisse, seafood platters. The Plage des Chalets restaurants built right on the sand.

La Clape and Corbières wines. Pastis. Marina bar terraces.

Holiday apartments and villas at Gruissan-Plage. Hotels near the beach and old village. Camping.

Local salt (fleur de sel de Gruissan). Corbières and La Clape wines. Local honey.

Narbonne (15 km). The Clape massif. The Canal du Midi. Leucate and the wider Aude coast.