Ahh, the sand, the seagulls, the beach is empty in March

[24mar22] The day for the beach. Tourist office and guideblogs both said Palavas-les-flots is the main beach town accessible by public transport. The blog referred to rental chairs and beachside cafés somewhere. We take the tramway to the end, at Etang d'Or, Golden Pond, and wait for Bus #1. Separate ticket, but only costs 1euro each, long wait, 15 minute ride to the town—some locals assure us that the Hotel de Ville is the best beach spot, with lots of activities there.

Yes, beach, but nothing happening, no services available, no chairs, no beachside café. We walk into town to get a fresh baguette and quiche Lorraine, and Orangina, then walk back to sit on the sand – clean sand, wide shallow beach area, wave action small but just enough for a few surfers; and lots of shells to collect!

We walk along the shore and back, disappointed in the lack of amenities – only one beachside café obvious along the way. We catch the 1:13 bus back to the tram. We had thought of attending the World Ice Skating Championship at the ParcExpo, on the tram line; but balked at the 30euro ticket for nosebleed seats.

So we passed by, took the tram to Observatoire stop, walked a circuitous route home via the Place de Marché des Fleurs with a stop for a beer a the Café de la Mer.

Barb packed, while Jeff walked across to the photo exhibit and art exhibit, and tried in vain to use a VeloMagg rental bike.

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