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T e Travel Guide Worldwide Travel


The Mediterranean art of living


NICOLAS MILLET


The French beach town you’ve never heard of and won’t stop talking about


Forget what you think the south of France looks like. La Grande Motte — three-and-a-half hours from Paris by TGV and 15 minutes from Mont- pellier airport — is the kind of place that stops you mid-sentence the fi rst time you see it. T e silhouette hits you before anything else: white pyramids rising from the shoreline against the Mediterranean blue. Conceived in the 1960s by architect Jean Balladur and built almost entirely from scratch, it’s a vision of cascading white terraces and sweeping curves stepping down towards the sea: a resort designed as a single, unifi ed work of art. Since 2010, its pyramidal towers have been listed as historic monuments, a rare distinc- tion for 20th-century architecture. T e light here is the next thing you


LE COUCHANT/OLIVIER MAYNARD


notice. T at dense, particularly Med- iterranean gold that makes a glass of wine look like a painting and turns an ordinary evening into something you’ll describe for years. T e beach is wide, and the kind of clean that takes eff ort. T e marina hums with sailing boats and sun-weathered faces. And if the air feels diff erent here, there’s a reason:


A fairytale stay by the Fjords


Nestled in the scenic landscapes of western Norway, Haaheim Gaard off ers a truly enchanting escape where history, nature and hospitality blend seamlessly


T is boutique countryside retreat is renowned for its romantic atmos- phere, beautifully restored buildings and award-winning gardens that change character with the seasons. Guests are welcomed into a world


of charm and tranquillity, where every detail has been thoughtfully curated. From elegant rooms fi lled with antiques to gourmet dining experiences inspired by local ingre- dients, Haaheim Gaard provides a unique stay that feels both intimate and unforgettable.


T e estate is also a cultural haven,


hosting concerts, storytelling eve- nings and seasonal events that cele- brate Norwegian heritage. Surround- ed by fjords, mountains, and lush greenery, it serves as an ideal base for exploring the natural beauty of the region or simply unwinding in peace- ful surroundings. Whether visiting for a romantic


getaway, a special celebration, or a quiet retreat, Haaheim Gaard invites guests to slow down and experience the magic of rural Norway in a setting unlike any other.


La Grande Motte has just become one of only six places in the world to earn the rigorous Green Destinations Gold Award for sustainability. Stay at the four-star Golf Hôtel


— calm, elegant and looking out over a championship course — and you can begin to understand what the French mean by douceur de vivre. At Le Quet- zal, a slick three-star option right on the marina, the mood is cooler, younger and built for long evenings. And then there’s the dining. Oysters


from the Étang de T au, so fresh they taste of the sea itself. Sea bass grilled simply, the way only the French seem to manage. A cold bottle of picpoul de pin- et — the local white that you’ll spend the rest of summer trying to fi nd back home. T e Languedoc doesn’t try to impress you; it doesn’t need to. It just sits there, golden and generous, wait- ing for you to arrive.


Promotional Content • Saturday 2nd May 2026


T: +33 4 67 56 42 00 lagrandemotte.com


T: +47 53 43 30 E: post@haaheimgaard.no haaheimgaard.no


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