A guided tour of the Château des Comtes de Melgueil lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes; at Plage du Petit Travers, there is a designated kitesurfing area. This contrast offers a concrete starting point for deciding how you want to spend your time in Mauguio: exploring history, getting active on the water or enjoying nature.
Culture and history
The Château des Comtes de Melgueil was built in the Middle Ages and has been listed as a historic monument since 2010. Guided tours last 1 hour and 30 minutes. Booking arrangements may vary, so you should check them in advance. The Chemin du Cabanier also leads to a historic landmark: the Cabane aux Tamaris is the first stop on the trail and is considered a remnant of early fishermen’s huts from 3,000 years ago.
The Jardin de la Motte is laid out around a medieval mound, a remnant of the former castle of the lords of Melgueil. From the top of the garden, the view stretches across Mauguio and the coastal plain; on a clear day, it reaches the lagoons and the Mediterranean Sea. The Galerie d’Art Prévert, housed in the town’s former girls’ school, offers a different cultural focus. It showcases painting, sculpture and photography year-round across 100 m². The exhibition program may change.
Beach and water activities
Plage du Petit Travers is a 3 km stretch of fine sand lined with dunes. Between entrances 73 and 74, there is a 200 m² kitesurfing area where you can learn to handle kites and boards. Access details may vary by season; check them before your visit.
The Yacht Club de Mauguio Carnon offers sailing lessons year-round, from Optimist dinghies to sailboats, including windsurfing, wingfoiling and windfoiling. Check course times and availability before your trip. Longe Côte Mauguio Carnon is also offered year-round, at three levels: Zen, leisure and sport. This gives you a choice of different water activities and formats, without assuming they follow the same routine or require the same equipment.
Gardens, trails and lagoon
The Voie verte du Lido is a linear cycling path about 2.5 km long. It starts at the Petit Travers car park and goes as far as La Grande Motte. The Sentier du Cabanier is almost 5 km long and can be explored on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. Another route along the shore of the Étang de l’Or is described as a 5 km round trip. It leads to the bay of La Capoulière and offers opportunities to spot flamingos and other waterbirds.
The Étang de l’Or, also known as the Étang de Mauguio, is designated a Natura 2000 site. Its cited natural features include seabirds, crustaceans, algae and seagrass beds. Near Carnon’s outer harbour is the Jardin des Dunes, which opened in November 2025: a landscaped pedestrian area open towards the sea, suitable for walks and events. Next to the garden, there is an almost 10 m-long pirate ship designed as a family play area. Its features include a climbing net, a swaying bridge, a platform and a slide.
Festivals and seasonal produce
The three-day Romeria del Encuentro in Mauguio has Andalusian influences. The program includes flamenco, dance, singing, Sevillanas competitions and bullfighting events. The Fête Votive in Mauguio Carnon also offers a varied program: the ten-day festival includes parades, street performances, Toro-piscine, races and dances. Check the dates and programs for both festivals separately if you want to plan your trip around them.
A clearly defined seasonal highlight is Mauguio strawberries: from April to mid-June, they can be found at the town’s market stalls. The options therefore vary depending on when you travel: some activities are available year-round, while this local product is found at the markets only during a specific period.
Discover more destinations: La Caunette, Villeneuvette, Saint-Étienne-D'albagnan, Lavérune, Puisserguier, Colombières-Sur-Orb, Restinclières, Saint-Drézéry.
For the broader travel overview: Hérault.
