Leucate NatureNature beach destination

Leucate life size

Nature

A former island that has become a peninsula, between sea, pond, “plateau” and cliff, that is the setting! To get some fresh air, get away from it all, go for a walk, take your time… Leucate and its authentic and contrasting nature has everything to offer! Leucate is part of Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise but also for its maritime part of the Parc Naturel Marin du Golfe du Lion.

Dazzling limestone cliffs dominate iridescent lagoons brightened by pink flamingos and fine sandy beaches.

It is a paradise for walking, cycling, mountain biking or horse riding. The pond, the sea, so many possibilities to slide on the water and enjoy the beaches of Leucate.

The plateau of Leucate

Classified site Natura 2000, Atypical landscape on this sandy Mediterranean coast, the limestone “plateau” of Leucate ends its course towards the sea in a 40m high cliff.

The “plateau” has always been shaped by man and his activities: viticulture and pastoralism. Walking with your nose to the wind between its dry stone walls, its capitelles and old sheepfolds is to discover a mosaic of environments and landscapes: crops (vines, almond trees, olive trees), scrubland, Mediterranean lawns, pine forests and cliffs.

From February onwards, the spring flowers return: first the almond trees, then the Montpellier aphyllanthes, orchids, the rare Violette sous-arbustive (a protected species) broom, thyme and rosemary… All the smells of the scrubland!

©Sentier de randonnée balisé - Plateau de Leucate|Leucate Tourisme

Vigne et fleurs de Valeriane au printemps — ©Vignes au Printemps - Plateau de Leucate|Leucate Tourisme

Leucate Nature Plateau — ©Plateau de Leucate|Leucate Tourisme

The cliff

Prepare to be surprised! Spectacular is the word!

The only cliff on the coast, it separates Leucate Plage and La Franqui from its 51m height. From there, a 180° view on the Mediterranean Sea and all below, creeks, crystal clear waters and fishy rocks.

It is possible to walk along the cliff from Leucate Plage to La Franqui, following the signposts of the watchman’s hike to discover the lighthouse, the Cap Leucate, the Cap des 3 frères (Rocher de la Sorcière), the plagette, the semaphore, the Anse du Paradis…

Warning: When walking, do not approach the edge of the cliff. For your own safety, the areas that can be walked on are marked out with strips of wood!

I’m going!

Falaise Leucate Drone — ©Falaise Leucate |Jean Belondrade

Plage Leucate Crique Falaise Plagette — ©Plagette de Leucate Plage |Leucate Tourisme

Photo de la plage des Coussoules depuis la Falaise de Leucate — ©Cindy Garbay

The Coussoules beach

Often at the top of the list of the most beautiful beaches in France, the Coussoules beach is a protected wild beach classified Natura 2000.

8km long and more than 400m wide, often beaten by the Tramontane, it gives off a feeling of great freedom!

For swimming, a walk with your feet in the sand or a kite session or sand yachting,with the cliff and the Rocher de la Sorcière always in sight!

see the webcam

Guided tour of the cliff

Every Wednesday during the summer, we will help you discover the cliff, its exceptional nature and its history! It will also be an opportunity to taste local products in the shade of the pine trees, with a view of the Mediterranean Sea!

Prices : Adult 5,00€ / Child (6 to 13 years) 3€ / Family (2 adults and 2 children) 12,50€.
Reservation at the Tourist Office and at the Tourist Information Points before 4pm on Tuesday
The price includes: the visit of the cliff, the tasting and a glass of Leucate

I book

Hiking in Leucate!

Whether you want to go for a nature walk with your family or a sporty hike with your friends, there is bound to be a marked trail waiting for you in Leucate!

On the edge of the pond, on the paths of the plateau or on the edge of the cliff, follow one of our 4 walking routes.

On the programme: unspoilt nature, breathtaking views of the Corbières, the Canigou and the Mediterranean.

Download the Hiking Guide4MB

©Relevage des Huîtres de Leucate sur les parcs|Leucate Tourisme

©Coucher de soleil sur l'étang|Leucate Tourisme

Bateau Peche Leucate Etang — ©Etang de Leucate|Leucate Tourisme

©La Caramoun - Etang de Leucate|Leucate Tourisme

Spot Le Goulet Leucate windsurf sur l'étang — ©Spot Le Goulet - Etang de Leucate |Jean Belondrade

A pond of Leucate

The Leucate lough or marine lake (an expanse of salt water separated from the sea by a sand lido) is supplied with salt water via the graus (narrow passages in the lido) and with fresh water mainly via 2 resurgences, Font Dame and Font Estramar at Salses-le-Château. In 2017, the Leucate-Salses pond was awarded the RAMSAR label and thus recognised as the 46th French wetland of international importance.

Every season here, you can enjoy the view: the snow-covered Canigou reflected in the calm waters of the pond, the sunsets over the Corbières… Get out the cameras!

Fishing and oyster farm

At the place called La Caramoun in the 1960s and now along the grau, the oyster farmer of Leucate sell the seafood they raise in the waters of the pond on the oyster beds: the Cap Leucate oyster, mussels and clams. The traditional fishermen report in traps and nets: eels, wolffish…

A rich and colourful wildlife!

It is the kingdom of birds : heron, pink flamingo, tern… Located on the migration corridors, each season the waters of the pond welcome more than 280 species (89 protected)

Gliding spots

Since the 1970s, water sports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding or sailing have developed. The spots have been developed to limit and manage the impact on the environment.

Nature beaches of Leucate

The beach of Port Leucate seems endless until the beaches of the naturist villages.

On the Leucate Plage side, there is something for everyone! The beach of Mouret and its ganivelles, Briganti in the shelter of the cliff, then comes the Plagette, the last suspended dune of the coast, under the semaphore: but everywhere crystal clear waters, this fine and white sand…

More information on the beaches of Leucate Plage

The Coussoules beach in La Franqui, with the cliff and the Rocher de la Sorcière (another name for the Cap des 3 frères) in the background: 8 km of unspoilt sand, a protected natural site classified Natura 2000.

More information on the beaches of La Franqui