Plage du Grand Travers
Between Carnon and La Grande-Motte · France
Montpellier's local clothing-optional beach: a long strip of sand behind the dunes with a naturist section and a gay end.
Updated
- Status
- Tolerated
- Crowd
- Gay-popular
- Country
- France
- City
- Montpellier
- Water
- Sea
- Best time
- May to September
- Confidence
- Medium
Find it
43.5555° N, 4.0400° EThe gay end
The naturist stretch, with the boys gathering at one end. Follow the crowd.
Crowd A clothing-optional beach for everyone with a gay end everyone knows about. Walk in the direction the guide says and you will find the boys.
Getting there
Park along the D59 between Carnon and La Grande-Motte and cross the dunes. Twenty minutes from Montpellier.
The rules
Tolerated. Not designated, but going without swimwear has been the custom for years and is left alone. Rules and patrols can change, so read the signs when you arrive.
No photos of anyone, sunscreen everywhere, cover up the moment you leave the clothing-optional stretch, and head home with the light. Sunbathe, swim and keep the beach respectful for everyone.
Questions people ask
Beach questions
Where exactly is Plage du Grand Travers?
Between Carnon and La Grande-Motte, France. The map pin is 43.5555° N, 4.0400° E.
What is Plage du Grand Travers like?
Montpellier's local clothing-optional beach: a long strip of sand behind the dunes with a naturist section and a gay end.
Which section of Plage du Grand Travers is on the atlas?
The naturist stretch, with the boys gathering at one end. Follow the crowd.
How do I get to Plage du Grand Travers?
Park along the D59 between Carnon and La Grande-Motte and cross the dunes. Twenty minutes from Montpellier.
More in France
Method
Status says what the law and the locals allow; crowd says who is on the sand. Both come from gay-travel guides, the national naturist federations and members who were just there, scored on sources, recency, crowd, legal footing and safety. How we rank. Pins mark the beach; the gay end is described above. Last reviewed September 2026.