Lattes

Just south of Montpellier, the Ariane Marina in Lattes sits on a navigable river port with berths for around a hundred boats, a harbour master's office, and a string of cafés and restaurants with terrace seating. The site has serious history — it echoes a trading port active from the 12th to the 15th century — and today it's a genuinely relaxed spot for a leisurely afternoon, with cycle tracks right alongside and tram line 3 just a 10-minute walk away.