Just a post to hopefully help answer some of the questions that we had before we started visiting this great fun zone and questions we have provided answers to over the years to those on here as well who have posed them on this forum. Hopefully it helps some who are at this time maybe planning their first visits.
It’s just based on our experiences and if you have any other questions please ask or things to add to the topic please add
Hopefully it helps and may see you there.
Jim |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Visiting Cap D Agde
Love the place and have been going now since 2018 apart from Covid time. Used to go once a year normally in July however have now started to go twice a year for 3 weeks in June and then a couple of weeks in July or early August. Just a wee guide from what we have built up over the years and questions we have had put to us about visiting.
Love the drive down from Scotland prefer leaving Scotland early morning and driving down through France overnight having done it the other way around just prefer the long drive in France at night, roads are dead and the blazing sunshine is not a problem. Have also done a midway stop in France overnight in Orleans we now just prefer the straight drive with either switching drivers or getting a couple of short stops for a bit sleep in the Aires on the main roads on the way down.
UK
Always take the A1 them A1(M) down the east coast with the preferred stops of Wetherby and Grantham before heading towards the M11, M25 and then splitting to take M2 instead of the M20 as that allows an easy stop at Tesco to grab a few things and fuel up just before the boat at Dover. When returning however prefer to take the M20 from the ferry.
Ferry
Prefer DFDS these days just seems a but quieter albeit the only drawback is they have less check in booths than P&O. Prefer the food on P&O however the offers on spirits in DFDS have been better last few years. Have found both carriers really good at switching you to an earlier ferry if you arrive at the port early enough. Unsure about Irish Ferries as haven’t used them.
France
Tend to set the satnav as a fail safe to highlight if any roadworks or accidents on the way with Rouen being the first destination set. Tend to be getting off the ferry around half 8 - 9 o’clock so still some daylight left. The main roads being clearly marked as 110kmh or 130kmh if dry with toll booths for all apart from one small section where you need to go online like the Dart charge. It is easy to use SANEF, you just put your reg number in and pay by card.
Remember to order Crit Air sticker before you go which is needed for your car as some towns need them on display with the areas increasing over the years its only a couple of pounds and its easy to do, upload your V5 and provide payment online on the official site. Also need a breath test kit, spare bulbs, emergency triangle and yellow High visibility jackets for each passenger to be carried in the car as well along with the car light stickers if your car is not equipped with the electric light changing system that some now have. Get all of these before the ferry as you would expect they add a great bit to the price of these items
From Calais its the welcome site of the football park on the right as you head out of the port and bear right onto the A16 passing the shopping areas and the Euro Tunnel spot before heading in the direction of Boulogne Sur Mer. We tend to stop in Rouen on way back at one pf the metro; stations alongside the large industrial area of dual carriageway. Self service stations and fuel tends to be cheaper at them.
Time sat nav with Orleans being the next set making sure the route takes the A154 Evreux, Dreux, Chartres way. This is probably the most awkward part of the journey purely down to the reduced speed type roads, multiple roundabouts, heavies on the road and numerous speed cameras along the way. That said its still enjoyable drive wise as opposed to being in 6th gear all the way for hours! Just at the end of this set or towns there are a few wee self service stations where on the way down we tend to top up before we hit the main motorways.
As you near Orleans and see the signs of Le Mans I tend to get a stop and alter the sat nav which at that time it can pretty much just be set to final destination as its a straight run A10 - A71 - A75 all the way straight down.
You will bypass Orleans and thats you onto A71 which is just a straight motorway all the way and the next kind of marker being Claremont Ferrand. On nearing there you will get the last tolls to pay before the A75 which is toll free all the way down.
We much prefer stopping at the fuel stations for a break on the way down as opposed to just one of the many Aire’s as the toilets tend to be much cleaner and well kept. The service stations also have good facilities including microwaves and the stock in the shops is good albeit as you would expect motorway prices like their fuel. They also operate the pay in advance for fuel if not equipped with a pay at pump machine.
There are some great viewing sites on the way down including one where there is a spectacular Viaduct De Garabit and also at Severac d’Aveyron which we tend to catch with sunrise. You will also see a lot of great sunflower fields and other crop fields with the massive watering systems in operation overnight. There are also a large number of fields set up with just solar panels in them as well,
The only other toll on the way down is that of the Millau Viaduct which is a spectacular piece of engineering and has a viewing area just before you cross it on the way south. Well worth a stop for pictures. The Road down from there is also great as its a continuation or the mountain cut outs and some more wee tunnels as well. Some spectacular rugged scenery. Lots of birds of prey about as well as nice wee villages and hill top buildings.
When you reach Pezenas its then the D13 towards Bessan and Agde. The road starts to get a bit congested here so I would suggest from experience ignore the sat nav as it tries to take you different ways to skip the congestion as the back roads are very narrow at times with fairly decent ditches at the side of them into the vin yards.
Having stayed within the naturist village before and also at Vias Plage and Marseillan Plage as well we now much prefer staying off site in Marseillan Plage at Eurocamp. Each to their own however.
Options
Vias Plage
Vias Plage has been done up a bit in recent years and is a nice wee place however is not so convenient for either access to the village or the fun beach.
The naturist village was ok however comes with the enhanced price and the accommodations sizes and quality vary. Theres plenty on this site to be found of what is within the village so will leave that.
Agde
Agde itself is a lovely town with the canal running through it, cafes and small shops along with a nice open air market by the canal. They have been doing a lot of renovation work in the town over recent years as well which has been congesting the traffic a bit running through the centre. There are a couple of bit supermarkets and McDonalds as well along with the large waterpark as well.
Marseillan Plage
Marseillan Plage is a couple of miles outside Agde on the sea and is mainly set up around the harbour there and the numerous camp sites from touring caravan type sites to a mixture of pitches and static caravans. We have stayed at the Les Mediterranees sites using Eurocamp they have 3 sites beside each other with the Beach Garden being our favoured. Ony negative is its furthest away from the street shops however that said it is closest to the beach. They have entertainment each night at 2 of the 3 sites and also water activities through the day and other fitness type events as well. They also have kids clubs as you would expect.
The quality of the pools and also cleanliness of their sites is great never had an issue in any of these areas over all the visits we have had. Their plants and flower displays are also brilliant. On site shops and bakeries are also good and not overly expensive. They also sell pizza, fries and sandwiches as well. 2 of their 2 sites have direct access to the beach which is controlled by code and gets closed later at night. Security also present and not only on the gate but also through the site as well both walking and cycling which is good to see.
The town has nice walks as well main street up from the sites which has a small number of craft type shops, candles, ornaments and soap shops with a small number of bars and a square with fast food places. The butchers has brilliant half chicken and fries each day as well. Also a small street with restaurants and bars which if you head for the tourist information shop you will get some nice ice cream and crepe type places as well. The market square is also just near there as is the harbour.
The town starts to come to life late May and then gets quiet late September with July and August being the busiest. Weather wise late May into the end of June nice and hot with the odd overcast hours with September being similar.
Small market in the square most days and a large market takes over the parking street up as far as the harbour as well on main market days.
You also get boat trips and jet ski here at the harbour.
There are also plenty Airbnb type places as well.
There is a good bus service and the local train station is in Agde. If you do have your car better grabbing your shopping in the Inter Marche or Carrefour in Agde or Marseillan which is a five minute drive from Marseillan Plage. Marseillan and Sette are also very much worth a visit as well for a nice walk around.
The beach
Beach is clean and has lifeguard stations along with patrols present with the water not being overly deep until a fair bit out that said watch the waves and current at times.
Now the fun! Fab is great there if you go on ‘Who is near’ it certainly shows how popular the place is on the site and lots of meets to be had through either that or other pages in this Forum of who is going there and when.
The beach is like nothing else to be honest. From the Beach Garden site walk with the sea to your left and within 5 minutes slow walk you will be at the naturist signs. A couple of minutes walk and you will soon see the large gaps between bathers disappear and towels will be side by side with a couple of ice cream and drinks barrows at the edge of the water. The fun is there! From Agde naturist site its pretty much out the back gate and onto this area of the beach. Don’t worry if shy or first time on a naturist beach as some ladies wear sarong type clothing or indeed some keep biking bottoms on as well others perhaps just a tshirt and nothing else just whatever you are comfortable with.
Do not enter the dune area to the rear of the beach it is protected and they have had more patrols in the 2025 there are large signs so no excuse. There are a number of socials on the beach, watch this site for details of them. Speak to people on the beach and you will get plenty fun. Likewise not being pushy sadly a small number of single guys can be a pest and need a firm no. Lots of fun on the beach and also in the sea as well with there being a small area in the sea thats a raised sand island allowing some fun play.
The most bizarre thing that we have seen in 2023 and 2024 was the Patrouille De France (French version of Red Arrows) who done a cracking display over the beach and town of Agde in the morning. Nothing like lying on the naturist beach having fun and that display going on in the air as well! They weren’t there last year and unsure if they will be there 2026 check their website. Only thing is if you like photography you will need to be away from the beach as strict no camera for obvious reasons.
Hope this helps answer some of your question. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
