Hotels in Lattes

Lattes: Roman-Era Port Town on the Hérault Coast

Lattes is a commune of roughly 18,000 residents in the Hérault department of southern France, sitting 4 km south of Montpellier along the Lez river. The town occupies the site of ancient Lattara, a pre-Roman trading port active from the 6th century BC, documented through ongoing excavations at the Musée archéologique Henri Prades. That museum holds Etruscan, Greek, and Gaulish artefacts drawn directly from soil beneath the modern town — a density of Iron Age finds rarely matched in Mediterranean France.

Where to Stay

Visitors come primarily as an affordable base for Montpellier, whose tramway Line 3 reaches Lattes in under 15 minutes. The Port Ariane marina district offers waterfront apartments and small hotels alongside restaurants and a weekly market. The nearby Étang de l'Or lagoon attracts birdwatchers and cyclists using the Via Rhôna long-distance route.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: Tram Line 3 links Lattes to Montpellier city centre; journey time roughly 12 minutes.
• Best time to visit: May through September for lagoon cycling and outdoor dining in Port Ariane.
• Archaeology visit: The Musée Henri Prades charges modest entry; closed Tuesdays.