Marseillan tourism: 755,963 campsite stays and a 9.41% rise in the 2026 season

Marseillan tourism had a strong 2026 season, according to figures presented on 2 November by the local tourist office. Campsites in this seaside town in the Hérault department recorded 755,963 overnight stays, up 9.41% on 2025. The new tourist office welcomed 23,000 visitors in its first season. The free shuttle to the beach carried more than 36,000 passengers in July and August. Here are the figures, the weak spots and the projects announced.

Marseillan tourism was reviewed at a public meeting on Monday 2 November 2026. The town lies on the Étang de Thau lagoon, on the Mediterranean coast, and also includes a beach resort, Marseillan-plage. The figures were presented by Jean-Michel de Courthezon, director of the tourist office, and published on the Marseillan town council website.

This review matters because the tourist office was in its very first season under its new structure. Its chairman, Rémy Chaput, stressed dialogue with local tourism businesses.

Marseillan tourism in 2026: what are the headline figures?

The standout figure concerns campsites. They recorded 755,963 overnight stays, up 9.41% on 2025. That is far better than the national trend.

For comparison, Insee, the French statistics office, measured only a 1.1% rise in campsite stays nationally this summer, and just 0.3% on the Mediterranean coast. See our article on France tourism in summer 2026.

Other types of accommodation showed mixed results:

hotels: +0.97%;
motorhome areas: +5.53%;
holiday residences: -6.34%;
bed and breakfasts (chambres d’hôtes): -6.39%;
lettings through estate agents: -12.34%.

So the season mainly benefited campsites and motorhomes, while agency lettings fell sharply. The town does not state the comparison year for these categories.

Oysters from the Thau lagoon, an asset for Marseillan tourism — Marseillan lies on the Thau lagoon, known for its shellfish farming. Photo: Ben Stern / Unsplash

How many people visited the tourist office?

From 30 March to 30 September, the new tourist office welcomed 23,000 visitors, including 10,354 in July and August. It also has an average Google rating of 4.7 out of 5.

In addition, the town renewed two national labels: Accueil Vélo, for cycle-friendly destinations, and Famille Plus, for family-friendly resorts. Renewal of the Tourisme & Handicap accessibility label is under way.

For local councils elsewhere in France, these figures are also a useful benchmark. In France, the tourist tax (taxe de séjour) collected by councils depends on the number of nights declared by accommodation providers. A rise in campsite stays therefore matters for the local budget as well as for businesses.

Online, the town website received 110,000 visitors and 228,000 page views, with the events page the most popular. Most users came from France, Belgium and Germany.

Shuttle, train and plane: how do visitors get around?

The free shuttle between Marseillan village and Marseillan-plage remains popular. It carried more than 36,000 passengers in July and August, down slightly by 1.8%.

Meanwhile, the Marseillan-plage regional train (TER) stop recorded 13,137 passengers between April and September, down 5%. The train is still a useful way to reach the beach without a car.

Sandy beach on the Mediterranean — A free shuttle links the village centre to Marseillan-plage in summer. Photo: Alexandra Smielova / Unsplash

Finally, Béziers Cap d’Agde airport plays a growing role. Its nine routes have an average load factor of 85.34%, and a shuttle to Marseillan has already carried 449 passengers.

What is planned for next season?

The mayor, Yves Michel, who is also vice-chairman of the airport, announced a direct shuttle between the airport and Marseillan. However, no date, cost or funding has been given.

For other councils, the example shows the value of a public, detailed review. It tracks each type of accommodation and transport, and highlights weak spots such as the fall in agency lettings. Our article on Vichy tourism figures offers another example.

Busy Mediterranean beach in summer — Campsites drove the 2026 season in Marseillan. Photo: Gaofeng You / Unsplash

Marseillan tourism: key takeaways

755,963 campsite overnight stays, up 9.41% year on year.
23,000 visitors to the tourist office from 30 March to 30 September, including 10,354 in July and August.
More than 36,000 passengers on the free beach shuttle (-1.8%) and 13,137 at the TER stop (-5%).
Declines for holiday residences, B&Bs and estate agency lettings.
A direct airport shuttle is planned, with no date or cost announced.

Sources: Ville de Marseillan, “Bilan de saison touristique 2026”, 3 November 2026; Insee Focus no. 387, accessed 7 November 2026. Featured photo: Kamilla Isalieva / Unsplash.