Cap d'Agde

Cap d'Agde (French pronunciation: [kap daɡd]) is a seaside resort on France's Mediterranean coast It is located in the commune of Agde, in the Hérault department within the region of Occitanie. Cap d'Agde was planned by architect Jean Le Couteur as part of one of the largest state-run development schemes in French history.

Historicaly, this area was occuped by wineyards, the only industry was the distilleries for alcohol supply. In the 1960s, the only buildings at the Cap were small houses that were typically used by locals over the weekends. It is now one of the largest marina on the French Mediterranean.

The first urban plan for Cap d'Agde was to stabilize sand with pines, eucalyptus, coconuts, date palms and neriums, build dunes against wind and shore rains, excave a grand marina for sailing boats. The building houses started 5 years later, with subdivision (plat), and flats in the housing estate near the port and the shore (sea side).

Agde can be reached by TGV SNCF train direct from Paris or Lille or Geneva whilst the closest airport is Béziers-Cap-d'Agde airport, which runs direct budget airline services to the UK and Scandinavia. Cap d'Agde is also served by Montpellier-Fréjorgues airport. Public transport (taxi or bus) is available between Agde and Cap d'Agde.

Cars and motorcycle are the folkloric elements for the summer, bikers with their motorcycles are blessed in a ceremony by a priest on the main central large place. Streets are labyrintic in an the urban plan shaped with numerous central parking places serving the interesting spots.

The Musée de l'Ephèbe houses the bronze nude statue known as "l'Ephèbe d'Agde" ("the Youth of Agde"). The statue was discovered in the river Hérault and was housed in the Louvre Museum prior to suitable facilities being made available in Cap d'Agde to house it.

During the German occupation, anti-landing mines were placed on the beaches (particularly at the Mole). The D-Day Memorial on its hill is the place where you have the best view of the Pyrenees in the distance and all the shore between Spain and Sète.

On the 4 main beaches, lifeguards are on duty at several stations, during summer most of the day.