Palavas-les-Flots

French commune
nomcommune=Palavas-les-Flots

region= Languedoc-Roussillon
departement=Hérault
arrondissement=Montpellier
canton=Lattes
insee=34192
cp=34250
maire=Christian Jeanjean
mandat=2001-2008
intercomm=Pays de l'Or
longitude=3.93138888889
latitude=43.5302777778
alt mini=0
alt maxi=3 m
hectares=238
km²=2.38
sans=5421
date-sans=1999
dens=2278
date-dens=1999

Palavas-les-Flots is a commune in the Hérault department in Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France.

Geography

Palavas is a seaside resort, some six km south of Montpellier, at the Gulf of Lion and the Mediterranean Sea. It lies on a strip of sand dunes that separates two lakes, the "Étang de l'Arnel" and the "Étang du Méjean", from the sea. Its neighbouring communities are Lattes, Pérols, Mauguio and Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone. The village center is located at the spot where the river Lez flows into the sea through a canalized section. Northwards, it stretches until Mauguio. Southwards, expansion is halted by a military area and an area used by the Ifremer.

History

The village originated as a fishermen's village who sold their catch on the markets of Montpellier. The Ancien Regime used the village as a coastal defence, building the Redoute 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 by Albert Dubout.

Politics

Current mayor is UMP's Christian Jeanjean, in office from 2001 (until 2008).

Economy

The mainstay of Palavas' economy is tourism. It is one of the most popular places in this part of France's coastline. In the film "Les Triplettes de Belleville", there is a song about the village. Apart from strolling, bathing and bronzing there are also two museums: one dedicated to Albert Dubout and one dedicated to the local train to Montpellier.

The 45m high local water tower can be seen from afar and features a revolving restaurant on top.

Twin cities

Palavas-les-Flots is twinned with:
*flagicon|CAN Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Quebec,
*flagicon|AUS Bayside, Victoria, Australia.

ee also

*Communes of the Hérault department

References

"Based on the French Wikipedia."

External links

* [http://www.palavaslesflots.com Official web site]