The resort town of La Grande Motte was largely built between 1960 and 1975 on virgin beachfront dunes, and is artificially irrigated to create a green, environment. The architect of the project, Jean Balladur, drew inspiration from pre-Columbian pyramids such as Teotihuacan, Mexico; and from modernist architecture in Brazil, especially the work of architect Oscar Niemeyer. Balladur developed the master plan for the seaside resort on a site of 750 hectares comprising 450 hectares of land and 300 hectares of wetland.
In April the Graulinades of Le Grau-du-Roi - Port-Camargue pay homage to seafood cooking, whereas Les Nautiques are a reputed second-hand boat fair. And on Ascension Day weekend the Vogua Monstra fetes Mediterranean seamanship. But it’s really in mid-June that the seafaring soul of the city comes to life. At the Fête de la Saint-Pierre, tribute is paid both to the sea and fishermen in a solemn and joyous ambiance.