Palavas-les-Flots
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Commune of Palavas-les-Flots |
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| Location | |
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| Administration | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Languedoc-Roussillon |
| Department | Hérault |
| Arrondissement | Montpellier |
| Canton | Lattes |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes du Pays de l'Or |
| Mayor | Christian Jeanjean (2001-2008) |
| Statistics | |
| Elevation | 0 m–3 m |
| Land area¹ | 2.38 km² |
| Population² (1999) |
5,421 |
| - Density | 2,278/km² (1999) |
| Miscellaneous | |
| INSEE/Postal code | 34192/ 34250 |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
| 2 Population sans doubles comptes: residents of multiple communes (e.g. students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
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Palavas-les-Flots is a commune of the Hérault département, in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Politics
Current mayor is UMP's Christian Jeanjean, in office from 2001 (until 2008).
[edit] 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.
[edit] External links
