Palavas-les-Flots | |
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.svg) Coat of arms | |
 Location of Palavas-les-Flots | |
  Palavas-les-Flots  Palavas-les-Flots | |
| Coordinates:43°31′49″N3°55′53″E / 43.5303°N 3.9314°E /43.5303; 3.9314 | |
| Country | France |
| Region | Occitania |
| Department | Hérault |
| Arrondissement | Montpellier |
| Canton | Mauguio |
| Intercommunality | CA Pays de l'Or |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2020–2026) | Christian Jeanjean[1] |
Area 1 | 2.38 km2 (0.92 sq mi) |
| Population (2022)[2] | 6,007 |
| • Density | 2,520/km2 (6,540/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 34192 /34250 |
| Elevation | 0–3 m (0.0–9.8 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Palavas-les-Flots (French pronunciation:[palavasleflo];Languedocien:Palavàs) is acommune in theHéraultdepartment in theOccitanieregion in southern France.
Palavas is a fishing village and seaside resort 9 km south ofMontpellier at theGulf of Lion and the Mediterranean. It lies onsand dunes that separate two lakes, theÉtang de l'Arnel and theÉtang du Méjean, from the sea. Its neighbouring communities areLattes,Pérols,Mauguio andVilleneuve-lès-Maguelone. Its center is where theRiver Lez flows through a canalized section into the sea. Northwards it stretches to Mauguio; southwards expansion is halted by a military area and an area used by theIfremer.
Palavas'Mediterranean climate is warm and dry in thesummer and mild and humid inwinter.
The village originated as a settlement of fishermen who sold their catch on the markets of Montpellier. TheAncien Régime used the village as a coastal defence, building theRedoute de Ballestras.
From the beginning of the 19th century, local tourists and seasonal activities were drawn to the village. When in 1872 a local train to and from Montpellier started service, seaside tourism really took off. This train operated until 1968 and was painted byAlbert Dubout.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 2,390 | — |
| 1975 | 3,345 | +4.92% |
| 1982 | 4,062 | +2.81% |
| 1990 | 4,748 | +1.97% |
| 1999 | 5,421 | +1.48% |
| 2007 | 6,048 | +1.38% |
| 2012 | 6,106 | +0.19% |
| 2017 | 5,977 | −0.43% |
| Source: INSEE[3] | ||
The mainstay of Palavas' economy is tourism. It is one of the most popular places in this part of France's coastline. In the filmThe Triplets of Belleville (Les Triplettes de Belleville), there is a song about the village. Apart from strolling, bathing and tanning there are also two museums: one dedicated to Albert Dubout and one dedicated to the local train to Montpellier.
The 45m high former localwater tower can be seen from afar and features arevolving restaurant on top and acongress centre.
Palavas-les-Flots istwinned with:
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