Cap D’Agde Resort, South of France

Posted by Jill Bowen on Mon 23rd April 2007 at 09:00 PM, Filed in Naturism

Cap D’Agde (situated in the Languedoc region in the South West of France), was my first introduction to Naturist Holidays many years ago. My (then boyfriend) now husband suggested we go, so after a bit of persuasion I agreed.  You either love it or hate it, there is no in between!

For some people it is the epitome of a naturist holiday – you don’t have to leave the resort, everything you will need is there; for others, it’s brash, commercialised and decadent!

My first impression was of a charm-less concrete jungle, a guarded entrance barrier, what had I come to, a prison camp with sun and sea?  No prison uniform here, in fact no clothes permitted if the sun was out, so everyone walking around totally in the buff! I felt uncomfortable for a couple of days, draping a towel over my ‘nether’ regions whenever possible. But then, I realised that no one actually cared about my physical imperfections – too many to mention – and were accepting me for who I was and not what I looked like…. a completely liberating experience for shy me! The Cap D’Agde experience grew on me, and felt totally normal as I relaxed into its unique ambiance!

I was ‘eased’ into this first naturist holiday by a wonderful slightly older couple who were friends of my husband. They had suggested we meet them there (Cap D’Agde having been their holiday venue for many years).  I was filled with trepidation at the prospect of going, but my philosophy was, don’t knock anything until you’ve tried it. The warm welcome this pair gave me when meeting us off the coach, and the fantastic lunch they had laid on soon started to dispel my fears. During the course of the next two weeks we met several of our friend’s friends who welcomed us into their group, - eating as a large group in restaurants, or taking turns in entertaining each other with impromptu meals at the different apartments we were all staying in. Taking various trips (future blogs) to some fascinating places added to the enjoyment. It was great fun, a huge mix of ages in our now extended circle – ranging from about 7 years up to 77, one huge ‘family’ enjoying each other’s company. We returned to Cap D’Agde for the following six years – so it obviously ‘grew on me’, and I had some fantastic holidays relaxing in this unique resort.

So, a little about Cap D’Agde, to help you to decide whether you want to go yourself.  Although I understand it is now a somewhat more decadent Mecca of naturism than when I last visited.

Cap D’Agde is a completely self-contained resort with four distinct shopping areas.  All four shopping areas have small supermarkets, speciality food shops, and a vast choices of about 30 restaurants in total – fish, pizza, fast food, gourmet, you are spoilt for choice. Boutiques with a mix of wacky and some stylish clothes, gift shops you’ll find banks (it’s a bizarre experience having the smartly dressed employees changing your money when you’re in the buff!).  There is even a resident doctor, a post office and petrol station, it’s a truly self-contained ‘town’.  You need never go outside its perimeter for the whole of your holiday if you don’t want to, but there are some trips well worth taking.

The fabulous golden beach stretches for two miles, if you don’t like the beach then relax by one of the swimming pools.  The far end of the very long beach is definitely the gay area, the nearest area to the resort is very much for families and couples.

The accommodation is all pretty basic; mainly self-catered small apartments – some minuscule. There are three very large blocks of apartments on several floors (with lifts), some with views over pool areas and the sea, a mix of small studios to large apartment sleeping up to six. Within the grounds there are also some Villas are available (again not especially luxurious) of all sizes, bungalow and duplex style, and also a large campsite.  Therefore all budgets and sleeping requirements are catered for.

Days are spent just lazing around the pool, or beach, swimming, ‘working’ on your all-over-tan, and enjoying the odd glass of something cold. Evenings, well that’s a different picture, everyone gets dressed.  Me, I tend to wear T shirt and shorts, maybe go to town and put on a light-weight dress…. Others?  Well it’s ‘de rigueur’ to bring out the glitz and glamour, and for some it’s peacocks on parade - a mix of high fashion, zany attire, or outrageously provocative, you name it, you’ll see it!  People watching at Cap D’Agde in the evening is fascinating.

Is it for you?

• Yes if you like a vibrant resort that goes to sleep in the early hours
• No if you want peace and quiet
• Yes, if you like people watching, a lot of the young (and not so young) dress up in evening to perambulate the resort – sights to behold!
• No, if you just like sitting in a quiet Taverna for your evening meal
• Yes if you’re un-shockable - you will see body piercing, tattoos.  From what I now understand there are now some couples only nightclubs, and police patrol the beaches to ensure there is no untoward behaviour that would cause offence.
• No if you would find any of the above distasteful

How do you get to Cap D’Agde?

You can fly into Montpelier Airports, take the train into Agde town and either use the bus that goes to the Naturist quarter or take a taxi. Unless you intend to spend the entire holiday inside the naturist quarter I would recommend you hire a car. There is nothing within walking distance, and a car would give you the freedom to explore the local area (see our page on discounted car hire). You will find accommodation by ‘surfing the net’, or in Naturist magazine such as H & E. This is often the most economical way of going to Cap D’Agde.

There are specialists tour operators such as Peng Travel who will organise the whole trip for you, either by Air, Coach or using your car. http://www.pengtravel.co.uk

I haven’t been to Cap D’Agde for a while, so maybe it’s changed a lot since I was last there. I would welcome your comments if you have been visited recently – don’t forget this site is read by families….so anything too lewd may get edited!!!

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