Stand Up Paddle in Hérault: The Best Spots Between Sea, River and Lakes

Apr 26
6 min read

🌊 Paddleboarding at sea: Mediterranean beaches and lagoons

📍 Palavas-les-Flots: paddling between sea and canals 🏖️

Launch : Downtown beach (Avenue Saint-Maurice) | Parking : Large free parking lot just behind the beach.

Why come? Imagine gliding gently across turquoise waters, with views of the vast, golden beaches of Palavas on one side and the bustling canals lined with colorful houses on the other.

From your paddleboard, you'll see sailboats returning to port, fishermen selling their catch of the day, and the Cévennes mountains in the background. The atmosphere is festive and warm, ideal for those who want to discover the Mediterranean in all simplicity .

📍 Sète: paddle between the lagoon and the city center 🌅

Launching : Lido Beach or Marine Promenade | Parking : Free parking on Chemin des Salins or paid parking in the town center.

Why come? In Sète, you will sail between canals vibrant with life and wild lagoons .

From your board, admire the pastel facades of the city, the fishing boats, and let yourself be carried away by the unique atmosphere of "Little Naples". If you head towards the Thau lagoon, prepare to come across oyster beds, with the Sète mountain and flamboyant sunsets as a backdrop. An authentic and exotic experience.

Stand Up Paddle in Hérault: The Best Spots Between Sea, River and Lakes

📍 Frontignan-Plage: wild getaway 🌾

Launch : Aresquiers Beach | Parking : Free parking on the Aresquiers Beach path.

Why come? Frontignan-Plage offers one of the last unspoiled corners of the Mediterranean : natural dunes, umbrella pines, crystal-clear sea. From your paddleboard, there are no buildings on the horizon, just the vast blue and nature. The calm mornings are magical: seabirds, small waves lapping the sand, and the golden light of the south. A perfect spot to escape from the world , just a few minutes from Montpellier.

🌿 River paddleboarding: adventures between gorges and villages

📍 The Hérault River: raw nature and hanging villages 🚣♂️

Launch : Pont du Diable (Aniane) or Saint-Bauzille-de-Putois | Parking : Large free car park at Pont du Diable or village car parks.

Why come? Paddling the Hérault is like stepping back in time . From your board, the impressive gorges rise up on either side, forming a dizzying canyon. Further on, wild pebble beaches and the medieval houses of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert clinging to the cliff are revealed. The water is clear, sometimes turquoise, and the atmosphere is simply magical, ideal for an adventure in the heart of Occitan heritage .

📍 The Orb River: Escape to the Cévennes 🏞️

Launch : Roquebrun Beach, at the bridge | Parking : Free parking at the entrance to Roquebrun.

Why come? On the Orb, you will discover an authentic and wild river. As you glide along the surface, admire the terraced vineyards , the small stone villages, and the secret beaches hidden under the willows. Roquebrun, nicknamed "Little Nice," spreads its sunny houses along the water's edge. The silence is broken only by the lapping of your paddle... Pure bliss for lovers of unspoiled nature and picture-postcard landscapes .

🚣 Paddleboarding on the lakes: unique scenery and absolute tranquility

📍 Lake Salagou: Paddle on another world 🌋

Launching : Liausson Beach or Clermont-l'Hérault nautical base | Parking : Free parking very close to the water.

Why come? Lake Salagou is an incredible natural spectacle . From your paddleboard, the red hills contrast with the deep blue water, creating an almost Martian setting. You'll sail past deserted coves and ochre cliffs, and you can picnic on red beaches, alone in the world. Far from everything, Salagou is the perfect place to disconnect and enjoy a SUP outing amidst fantastic landscapes and great calm.

📍 Lake Cécélès: a confidential interlude 💎

Launching : Beach next to the La Guinguette restaurant | Parking : Large free car park 200 m away.

Why come? This small lake hidden in the scrubland offers an intimate experience . Surrounded by green hills and fragrant pine trees, you can paddle in peace on water that is often calm and warm. Here, there is no wind, no waves: just the song of the cicadas and the rustling of the leaves. Lac de Cécélès is a little treasure, ideal for a relaxing day , accessible in less than 30 minutes from Montpellier.

📍 Where to rent a paddleboard in Hérault?

Stand Up Paddle in Hérault: The Best Spots Between Sea, River and Lakes

Loc'Paddle Palavas ➔ Quick rental on the central beach.
Sète Paddle Club ➔ Urban and lagoon SUP.
Frontignan Paddle Center ➔ Nature rental in Aresquiers.
Kayapuna Canoe Saint-Guilhem ➔ SUP rental on the Hérault River.
Salagou SUP Center ➔ Paddleboarding excursions on the Salagou.
Paddle Roquebrun ➔ SUP in the heart of nature on the Orb.

Activity 🌊	Access 🏄♂️	Ideal for 🚶♂️	Experience Wanted 🌍	Recommended Places 📍	Location Possible ✅
Stand-Up Paddle 🏆	Very easy	Families, beginners, yogis	Quiet walks, exploration, relaxation	Palavas, Sète, Salagou, Roquebrun, Frontignan	Yes
Kayaking 🚣♂️	Easy	Couples, sports friends	River rafting, wild nature	Orb, Hérault, Saint-Guilhem, Vieussan	Yes
Pedal boat 🚤	Very easy	Families with children, seniors	Leisure, swimming, gentle strolls	Palavas, Carnon, Lake Salagou	Yes
Sail ⛵	Medium ✈️	Adventurers, enthusiasts	Freedom, navigation, learning	Sète, Palavas, Frontignan	Yes (nautical clubs)
Diving 🤿	Technique 🧜♀️	Underwater Explorers	Exploration, adrenaline	Thau Lagoon, Sète, Frontignan	Yes (with frame)
Wakeboarding 🌊🚴♂️	Medium → Advanced	Sports enthusiasts, thrill seekers	Speed, adrenaline, fun	Carnon, Thau Lagoon (Lattes side)	Yes (wake parks)

❓ 1. Where to go stand-up paddleboarding in Palavas-les-Flots?

✅ In Palavas, practice paddleboarding at sea or on the canals, with easy departures from the central beach and numerous rental bases.

❓ 2. Can you paddleboard on the Thau lagoon in Sète?

✅ Yes, the Thau lagoon is ideal for stand-up paddleboarding with easy launches and spectacular views of Sète and the oyster beds.

❓ 3. Where to rent a paddleboard at Lake Salagou?

✅ The Salagou SUP Center and the Clermont-l'Hérault nautical base make it easy to rent a paddleboard on the shores of the red lake of Salagou.

❓ 4. What are the best spots for stand-up paddleboarding on rivers in Hérault?

✅ The Hérault River near Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and the Orb River around Roquebrun offer perfect routes for freshwater paddling.

❓ 5. Where can you easily launch your paddleboard in Frontignan-Plage?

✅ The wild beach of Aresquiers in Frontignan offers direct and free access to the sea for stand-up paddle enthusiasts.

❓ 6. Can you paddleboard on the Orb River in Roquebrun?

✅ Yes, Roquebrun is a popular spot for river SUP, with easy departure from the public beach and free parking nearby.

❓ 7. What are the best spots to start stand-up paddleboarding in Hérault?

✅ Palavas-les-Flots, Lake Cécélès and Lake Salagou are perfect for learning SUP safely, on calm waters.

❓ 8. Where to go for a paddleboarding trip at sunset in Hérault?

✅ The best sunsets while paddleboarding can be seen from the Thau lagoon in Sète, Aresquiers beach in Frontignan, or Salagou lake.

❓ 9. Can you rent a paddleboard in Sète to navigate the canals?

✅ Yes, several nautical clubs in Sète offer paddleboard rentals to explore the famous canals of the city center.

❓ 10. Where can I rent a paddleboard to navigate the Hérault River in Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert?

✅ In Aniane and Pont du Diable, you will find nautical bases offering SUP rentals to descend the Hérault River.

❓ 11. Where is the best place for wild paddleboarding in Hérault?

✅ For a wild experience, head to the Orb River near Vieussan or Aresquiers beach in Frontignan.

❓ 12. Which paddleboarding spots are suitable for children around Montpellier?

✅ Lake Cécélès and Palavas-les-Flots offer quiet areas, perfect for practicing paddleboarding with family and children.

❓ 13. Can you go stand-up paddleboarding all year round in Hérault?

✅ Yes, thanks to its mild climate, Hérault allows you to practice paddleboarding almost all year round, particularly at Salagou and on the Thau lagoon.