Location
France
Status
Unofficial / Tolerated
Suitable for
Families and adults
Terrain
Sand
Best season
June to September
About Plage Naturiste Des Montilles
Les Montilles is the long, wild southern part of the beach at Port-la-Nouvelle (Aude), stretching away from the town towards La Franqui and Leucate. The beach is very long (roughly 13 km of continuous sand) and unusually wide, with fine sand and no buildings near the naturist section. Heading south from the supervised town beach, the shore becomes progressively wilder and the naturist area begins about 1.5 km along, marked by a blue 'Zone naturiste' board and ending at a 'Zone naturiste tolérée' board. It was formerly the beach of the Côte Vermeille naturist campsite and became known as the favourite beach of naturist camper-van travellers, who used to line up on the hard sand; a municipal by-law bans wild camping and overnight camper parking, and later visitor reports say vehicles can no longer park on the beach itself. The atmosphere is calm, with plenty of room to find a quiet spot. Swimming is generally pleasant, and the town beach to the north has lifeguards in July and August.
Getting there
Follow the D709 into Port-la-Nouvelle, then signs for 'Plages' and 'Plage des Montilles' through the roundabouts to boulevard Eschasseriaux, and continue south following 'Zone naturiste'. Parking is free; since driving onto the sand was restricted, visitors report a 15-20 minute walk from the parking areas to the naturist zone. Soft sand can trap vehicles. There are no facilities in the naturist zone and no step-free path.
What visitors say
Visitors describe Les Montilles as huge, quiet and natural, with ample space to spread out and few passers-by. Long-time users note it used to be a camper-van naturist beach and that new restrictions on driving onto the sand have made it calmer but require a longer walk. There are no services, so bring water and shade. Some sources disagree about the exact limits of the naturist zone.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Amenities
Legal context
The naturist area is marked by 'Zone naturiste' and 'Zone naturiste tolérée' boards (2019), but no municipal authorisation or official listing was found; the town's own 2025 beach-water sheet does not mention it. A municipal by-law of 7 July 2003 bans wild camping and camper parking from 21:00 to 07:00. In France simple nudity is not itself an offence, but 'exhibition sexuelle' (Penal Code art. 222-32) can be charged where nudity is imposed on others, so nudity is safest on beaches authorised or tolerated by the commune.
Naturism at Plage Naturiste Des Montilles sits under France's rules for de facto tolerance — usually left alone if you keep it non-sexual and low-drama.
Full country law: France public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 42.9705, 3.0449
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in France
Frequently asked questions
Where is the naturist area?
South of Port-la-Nouvelle town beach, beyond the supervised zone, between a blue 'Zone naturiste' board and a 'Zone naturiste tolérée' board.
Can I park my camper van on the beach?
Visitors report that parking on the beach is no longer allowed, and a 2003 by-law bans overnight camper parking and wild camping.
Are there facilities?
None in the naturist zone; the town beach to the north has lifeguards in July and August.
Is it crowded?
Rarely; the beach is very long and wide, so it is easy to find space.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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