Plage de Mateille

No Reviews
Tags: Europe and France
No
Yes - the Mosquito Coast restaurant is nearby
Yes - free
Nudity is not required

The Good

  • Spacious Beach: This beach offers an impressive amount of space, making it perfect for nude beach fans and beachgoers alike. You’ll never feel cramped even during peak times.
  • Easy Access: Parking is conveniently located right near the beach, so you won’t have to carry your belongings too far.
  • Great for Families: With shallow waters extending for several meters, it’s a fantastic spot for children to play safely.
  • Quiet and Natural: The lack of commercial activity (no bars or shops directly on the beach) makes this a peaceful, no-frills beach experience.
  • Clean and Well-Maintained: The beach is generally clean, and there are waste containers available near the parking area.
  • Local Favorite: The atmosphere is friendly, with a good mix of families and regulars creating a sociable, welcoming vibe.

The Bad

  • Lack of Facilities: There are no showers, bars, or shops on the beach itself, so come prepared with everything you need for the day.
  • Textile Beaches Nearby: Being sandwiched between textile beaches means you might get some passersby walking through the naturist area, though it’s not overly disturbing.
  • Mosquitoes: Some visitors have mentioned mosquitoes, especially in the areas near the dunes.
  • No Clear Signage for Naturists: Naturism is tolerated here, but there is no official sign to mark the beginning of the naturist section, which can lead to some confusion.

The Naked Truth

Plage de Mateille is a peaceful, spacious, and natural beach that feels like a hidden treasure in Gruissan. While it’s not an official naturist beach, the middle section is well known and tolerated for naturist use, making it a popular spot for locals and regulars. The beach’s natural beauty, with its large expanse of sand and shallow waters, makes it perfect for families, shell hunters, and anyone looking for a relaxing day by the sea. However, the lack of facilities means you’ll need to pack accordingly, and the nearby textile areas might bring occasional passersby. If you're after a quiet and spacious beach with minimal fuss, this one is a great choice—but be prepared for the simplicity.

Insider Tip

Park at the far end of the car park to be closer to the naturist section and avoid a long walk with your gear!

Who's Here

Lots of young families with often with majority females in the nude section

Beach Surface

Soft sand

Access Difficulty

Easy - a short 500m walk on sand is needed
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Photos

Our Visit

Contributor Review – Claudette Perreault
Local Expert. Visited 2024

Plage de Mateille quickly became one of our favorite beaches during our trip to the south of France. We arrived on a late summer weekend, expecting crowds, but we were pleasantly surprised by how spacious and peaceful it felt, even though it’s sandwiched between two textile sections. The middle part of the beach, where naturism is tolerated, had such a fun and family-friendly vibe. Kids were playing, couples were relaxing, and the atmosphere was lively yet respectful—exactly what we look for in a nude beach.

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One thing that really stood out was the balance of people here. Unlike other French nude beaches, this one had more women than men, which felt a bit unusual. I’m not sure if that’s always the case, but it certainly added to the inclusive and welcoming feel of the beach. We felt totally at ease.

We parked easily at the free lot, which was a bonus. It’s not a long walk to the naturist section at all, just a few minutes from the car, but we took a little detour to the Mosquito Coast Restaurant, about 400 meters down the beach. It’s an excellent spot for a quick lunch—nothing too fancy, but the food was tasty, and we left satisfied and ready to enjoy the rest of the day.

The water at Plage de Mateille was shallow and warm, perfect for cooling off without the chill you sometimes get in deeper waters. We didn’t experience any mosquitoes or the infamous wind that people say can pick up in the afternoon, but we heard that can be an issue on some days, especially earlier or later in the season. Lucky for us, the weather was perfect that day.

Overall, this beach had such a friendly, sociable vibe. It’s definitely one of those places where you can tell many of the people are regulars, locals who make this beach part of their routine. If you’re a first-timer or seasoned naturist, this spot is perfect for everyone—just don’t forget to pack a picnic if you’re not up for the walk to the restaurant!

It’s the kind of place where we could easily spend all day, and while we loved it, the only thing we’d say is to keep an eye on the weather and wind forecasts. Other than that, it’s a must-visit if you’re in Gruissan.

Questions? Comments? Add your thoughts or photos below!

Map

Getting There

Getting to Plage de Mateille is quite straightforward, and the journey offers some scenic views of Gruissan’s natural beauty.

By Car
From Gruissan, take the D32 and follow the signs for "Les Plages." Continue straight past several roundabouts, following the direction for "Espace Balnéoludique" and "Base Ecole de Voile." Drive past the Gruissan Sailing Center and cross the stream linking the lakes of Mateille and Grazel. Keep heading straight until you reach the end of Avenue des Plages, where you’ll find a small parking area. Don’t park here—drive onto the beach itself and follow the sandy road until you reach the designated car park at the far end, near the naturist section.

By Public Transport
Unfortunately, there are no direct public transport options to Mateille Naturist Beach. However, you can take a bus to Gruissan, and from there, it’s a short drive or taxi ride to the beach. Once you arrive, a brief walk will bring you to the naturist area of the beach, making it a peaceful but slightly remote destination.

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