Mauguio-Carnon, between plain and golden pond
Mauguio has 16,522 inhabitants in 76.9 square kilometres, one of the largest municipalities in the area. The territory extends from the wine and vegetable plain to almost all the gold pond, with part of the dune cordon between Palavas-les-Flots and La Grande-Motte, whose territory was part of that of Mauguio until 1974. Mauguio has been home since 2005 to the headquarters of the community of agglomeration of the Gold Country, of which it is the cantonal capital.
The city was once called Melgueil, a name that remained in the gentile of its inhabitants, the Melgorians. The present form, Mauguio, was only imposed in the 17th century. In the early Middle Ages, the city of Melgueil struck its own currency, the last Melgorian, which was circulating throughout Languedoc; One of the members of this Comtal family, Pons de Melgueil, became the seventh abbot of Cluny in the 12th century.
Twenty-three minutes for a further stage
From the accommodation, the road measures 19.9 kilometres and runs in 23 minutes. Rather than a quick round trip, Mauguio is ready for a half-day or full day trip, combined with the Golden Pond or Carnon Beach.
The largest castral mot of the Midi
From the feudal castle of the Counts of Melgueil, built around 960, there remains only the Motte, a relief entirely shaped by man from the sediments of the ponds. It is the largest preserved castral motte in southern France, listed as historical monuments. The original castle and ramparts were destroyed after 1622 during the religious wars; The bishops of Montpellier then built a new Renaissance castle on these ruins.
Carnon, the maritime facade of the commune
On the coastal cordon, the station of Carnon gives Mauguio a direct access to the sea, with the beach of Petit Travers. Since 2018, Mauguio and Carnon share the same postal code, 34130, and the municipality officially presents itself as "Mauguio-Carnon" to highlight this link. The Gold Pond, classified Natura 2000 and protected under four distinct spaces, including the Gold Lido and the Little Camargue, separates the city from its maritime facade. You can walk along the Cabanier Road, a signposted promenade about 6 kilometres between snakes, salicorn and marsh yellow iris, which follows the course of the Salaison to the Bay of the Capoulière.
For whom this base makes sense
- A craving for pond and beach without changing accommodation : Mauguio and Carnon cover both atmospheres in one exit.
- A curiosity for the medieval heritage : La Motte is visiting in addition to a more urban stay in Montpellier.
- A longer stay, where half a day can be devoted to this remote municipality without imbalance of the programme.
- Two bus lines to the tramway, for those who prefer to leave the car to the accommodation some days and join Montpellier otherwise.
Studio or duplex before a detour to Mauguio
For a two-way, the studio allows you to leave lightly towards the golden pond and return in the evening. With family or for a longer stay, the duplex offers two bedrooms and a washing machine, useful after a day between the beach of Carnon and visit of the Motte. Both units are located in downtown Saint-Jean-de-Védas, with quick access to A709 and A9 for this longer journey.
The page devoted to Lattes details an intermediate stage between housing and Mauguio.
