Gruissan is a seaside resort on the Mediterranean coast east of Narbonne. In France Gruissan is perhaps best known as the setting for the 1986 film 37°2 le matin, known to international audiences as Betty Blue.
The original village is circular and dominated by the Barbarossa Tower, the last remnant of a 10th century castle. Gruissan Plage is the new part of the village, with many modern holiday homes, bars and restaurants.
The salt flats around Gruissan are used to harvest pink sea salt, of which the fleur de sel is the very finest quality. There are many excellent seafood restaurants in and around Gruissan, but booking is highly recommended.
If you are interested in plants and wildlife, Gruissan is of particular interest as a migration area for birds and for rare and very rare plants that grow around the windy salt marshes.
Le Fort Pouzols-Minervois to Gruissan is a 40-minute drive (22 miles, 34 km). It is highly recommended as an enjoyable day trip, particuarly when combined with a leisurely lunch. Gruissan is also a big windsurf and kitesurf centre.
The history of Gruissan in the 18th century was closely linked to the French navy, with many local men taking part in the War of Independence in the United States.