Le Grau-du-Roi
A health resort and then a seaside resort in the 1930s, Le Grau du Roi attracted the bourgeoisie of Nîmes and France thanks to the railway line. Ernest Hemingway himself spent two honeymoons there!
Two shores, two faces
Primarily a fishing port, Le Grau-du-Roi was built on both sides of the channel, the main artery connecting the sea to its fishing port and further on to Aigues Mortes.
On the right bank, you can still feel the holiday atmosphere of yesteryear. It’s wonderful to lose yourself in this neighbourhood where the ‘Tonkinois’ lived, as opposed to the ‘Calabrais’ who resided on the other side of the canal. Stroll through the narrow streets and admire the façades of the 1930s houses. Art Nouveau enthusiasts will appreciate the Maison du Dauphin and its 1900s style, built by a wealthy Nîmes resident. More into the Belle Epoque? The Villa Parry owes its name to Ferdinand Parry, who bought this plot of land facing the sea in 1898 to build his Villa des Dunes. Today, the Villa Parry houses the Tourist Office and an exhibition hall.
On the left bank, you’ll find a fishing village atmosphere with shops. Shopping streets, market squares, small pedestrian streets – it’s lively and bustling. It’s easy to get lost here as you hunt for little boutiques, soak up the local atmosphere and feel the life of the canal.
The fishing port
The first inhabitants settled around 1830 on the banks of the channel, around the ‘Grau’, a passage between the lagoon and the sea in Occitan. They were fishermen, most of whom had come from Italy for fishing campaigns. Over the years, houses were built on both sides of the canal. The fishing port was built in 1971 and became the leading trawling port in the Mediterranean.
When the trawlers return around 5 p.m., after more than 10 hours at sea, time stands still. On the quays, traffic stops, life comes to a halt… The bridge turns, setting the pace of life in the town as it opens and closes to let pleasure boats and fishing boats pass through. At set times or on demand, it’s a ritual that’s part of everyday life. Today, there are 25 trawlers that go out to sea during the day, and whatever the season, the return of the trawlers is always a spectacular sight to behold.
