Cinema in Cap d’Agde: discover the history of Cap d’Agde, its Hérault du Cinéma festival and practical info
Cap d’Agde is a small seaside resort in the south of France, known for its rich natural environment, pleasant sunshine and naturist village… But did you know that Cap d’Agde has a history with cinema?
The town of Cap d’Agde has been hosting film shoots and screenings for many years, including the Les Hérault Film and TV Festival, making it a true cultural destination, ideal for holidaymakers who want to combine relaxation with cultural outings.
A little history: Cap d’Agde and the cinema
The growth of Cap d’Agde since the 1960s
Born of the Racine mission in 1960, the town of Cap d’Agde is today a symbol of France’s tourist heritage, one of the first seaside resorts to be built to attract tourists to France, who until then had been heading for Spain.
The Racine mission, initiated by the government of Georges Pompidou, under the directive of Charles de Gaulle, was aimed at a new vision of tourism development in France. Conceived by its president, Pierre Racine, as its name suggests, the Mission Racine lasted from 1963 to 1983 to offer the country a new architectural heritage, like La Grande-Motte, emblematic of seaside tourism.
The gamble paid off, as the French now go on vacation to La Grande-Motte, Cap d’Agde and Gruissan, coastal towns where everything is in place for a holiday in the sun.
Cinema, tourism and Cap d’Agde
Cinema means tourism…
Although this form of sightseeing was not initially the primary goal of French tourists, cinema has filled French culture over the years, leaving a heritage that attracts more and more visitors to film territories like Cap d’Agde.
A number of well-known films were shot here, including Le petit Baigneur (1967), a cult comedy starring Louis de Funès, Robert Dhéry and Michel Galabru; and Je t’aime… moi non plus (1976), starring the legendary couple of the time, Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Documentaries have also been made around Cap d’Agde and in the Hérault region, such as Les villages de l’Hérault in the 1950s.
More recently, Cap d’Agde has lent its scenery to other films: Balle perdue 2 (2021), Au milieu des terres (2020), Flo (2022) and the famous French series Demain nous appartient (2025).
So French cinema is firmly rooted in the Agatha region, and attracts many visitors who come to see the sets in action, or to take part in film-related cultural events…
Les Hérault du cinéma et de la télé” festival at Cap d’Agde
The birth of “Hérault du Cinéma” and its evolution in Cap d’Agde, a cultural destination
The “Hérault du Cinéma” festival was born in 2004 under its original name, initiated by Agde town council, the municipal tourist office, the Communauté d’agglomération de l’Hérault Méditerranée and the Commission locale du film Hérault Méditerranée.
This new project aims to showcase the region as a film set, attracting actors, directors, film professionals and tourists alike.
Its first edition was organized around meetings with professionals and actors such as Samuel Le Bihan, Georges Lautner and Omar Sharif; around a Top short-film competition, courses and feature-film launches with the Primeurs du cinéma.
In 2006, the Festival asserted itself with the Top des Courts and the Primeurs du cinéma, making it an unmissable annual event in the French film world.
The event now features public screenings, book signings, a market for local professionals and, above all, a prestigious jury.
Then in 2009, the “TV” section was added, which was a real success in the era of new TV series such as Plus Belle la Vie and Candice Renoir.
This component was separated from the “Les Hérault du Cinéma” event, which took place in June, and was offered as “Les Hérault de la Télé” in September. These two events are now combined into a single “Les Hérault du cinéma et de la télé“, taking place in June.
How to attend the Hérault du cinéma et de la Télé festival: access, invitations, program
Not as selective as the Cannes red carpet, the Cap d’Agde red carpet offers free public screenings, but only on invitation, which can be obtained from the Mairie d’Agde or the Palais des Congrès du Cap d’Agde.
Places are of course limited, so it’s best to book once you’ve received your invitation.
All screenings of the Hérault du cinéma et de la Télé festival take place at the Palais des Congrès d’Agde Méditerranée, accessible via the A9 freeway, exit 34 “Agde” 15 km away, or via the liO bus service.
Our tips for enjoying the Hérault Film and TV Festival
To make the most of your stay in Cap d’Agde, and above all of your invitation to the Festival if you have obtained one, don’t hesitate to :
consult the program to optimize your requests for tickets book in advance, as invitations go out very quickly arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes early, to ensure you have access to the screening
The Travelling cinema in Agde
If you’re visiting Agde or Cap d’Agde outside the Festival dates, you can still enjoy the surrounding cinemas.
The nearest cinema is the Travelling in Agde. Ticket prices are €9.50 for adults and €5.50 for children, but reduced rates are available subject to eligibility.
Agde’s Le Travelling cinema also offers opera and ballet at €19 a ticket.
The cinema cabins at La Clape Village campsite: an immersive stay
Discover the cabanes cinémas, an unusual accommodation at the La Clape Village campsite ***** in Cap d’Agde.
For fans of cinema and animated films, let yourself be transported into a fictional universe for the duration of a camping holiday. Whether you like Scooby-doo, Harry Potter or Star Wars, there’s a wide range of themes to choose from when choosing your cinema cabin.
Take advantage! Until 30/06/2025, on the occasion of the Les Hérault du cinéma et de la Télé festival, your 5* La Clape Village campsite is offering a 15% discount on cinema cabins for a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Discover the cabanes cinémas
