Maison de la Nature, Lattes

This is a fantastic nature reserve just 20 minutes drive from Central Montpellier, transporting you instantly away from the buzz of city life into an oasis of calm and tranquility. 

Just south of Lattes it backs onto the large Etang de Mejean in extremely well preserved wetland and hosts an impressive abundance of wildlife.

Thousands of pink flamingos flock to the Etang and can be seen all year round; white storks nest at the entrance of the reserve and you can see cormorants, herons, egrets and many other wetland birds as well as other endangered species such as the European Pond Turtle. 

The view across the flamingo-dotted Etang towards Palavas-le-Flot and Carnon Plage is wonderful. It's worth taking a pair of binoculars!

It's really well maintained and managed with wide, flat walkways, clearly marked circuits and information panels along the way. 

There are four circuits to choose from: the 'Grain de Mejean' is 'accessible to all', so accommodates wheelchairs and pushchairs, has audio descriptions available for the blind and video information for the hard of hearing. Bikes, scooters and dogs are not allowed on this circuit, but are allowed on some of the others; each circuit has its own rules (see: https://www.ville-lattes.fr/maison-de-la-nature/).

At the entrance is a picnic area and public toilets and it's free entry. Parking is also free, in a field about 600m away; however there is limited handicapped parking right at the entrance. The 600m walk is also very pleasant along a leafy country lane.

How to get there

By car: From the D132 Avenue de l'Europe arriving into Lattes from central Montpellier, just after the bridge over the river Lez veer right and cross over the mini roundabout to continue along the D132, then follow the D58 through the residential area and follow the signposts for the Maison de la Nature. 

By public transport: TAM tramway line 3 to Lattes Centre, then a 25 minute walk.