How Gruissan establishes itself as an essential cycling destination

22 million French people cycle during the holidays. And some of them do it in Gruissan, fast becoming a leading destination for cyclists. In any case, this is the objective of the town’s tourist office, which has been working there for many years: “Gruissan is, through its history, its marina and its fishing village, an essential blue destination. But it is also a green destination, with its natural side and its heritage sites. And decarbonize the economy, including tourism is part, is one of the challenges of the century”explains Joan Baco, director of the Gruissan tourist office.

With its 21 km of cycle paths, all of Gruissan is accessible by bike: “We can go anywhere in less than 15 minutes”he says. Infrastructure due to the political will to make a city without cars. “Obviously, the objective is not to remove it. But to put it in its rightful place and prevent tourists from finding themselves in the same stress as everyday traffic jams.”precise Joan Baco.

For a little over ten years, the port has had an Eco-station which rents a dozen electric bikes for boaters. New addition to the fleet, an electrically assisted cargo bike: “To go shopping, to take the children to the beach, it’s still more pleasant than getting in a car”underlines Joan Baco. This fleet is also used during guided bike rides offered by the OT.

Bike welcome label: the guarantee of a welcome that meets the standards

Launched a few months ago, the bicycle welcome label already brings together nearly thirty partners: “And this is only the first wave”notes Alain Combres, from Gruissan OT. This label is intended to be a win-win: on the one hand, to assure cycling tourists that they will find everything they need, whether it is a secure place to park their bike, recharge it, or repair it, and for tourism professionals, to attract this new clientele. Especially since the EuroVelo 8 route which connects Cadiz to Athens passes near Gruissan. Who plans to drop out: “It would pass through Béziers, Fleury, Narbonne and Gruissan, to allow a maritime route for those who prefer the coast”notes Joan Baco. And thus, to put a spotlight on the town, to attract more cycle tourists.

Because bicycle tourists spend more than their car-loving compatriots: the average basket for a cyclist (seeking performance, even outside of competition) amounts to €104, when it reaches €68 for the cycle tourist (who therefore travels bike), and €48 for the classic tourist.

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To achieve its objectives of expanding cycling, the tourist office benefits from the support of the cycling hub, a tool set up by the Occitanie region: “We are one of the pilot destinations selected, as a coastal destination. We have been selected for the projects already approved, and will benefit for two years from framing and support”explain Joan Baco and Alain Combres. At the end, it will be defined what a cycling destination is and what model to develop. “We are facing an intelligent challenge, in accordance with our territory and our ambitions, to, on our scale, contribute to the transformation of tourism”concludes Joan Baco.