In August, it seems like the whole of France is on holiday. It’s time to reserve a sunbed at a Mediterranean beach and practise the art of ‘fare niente’. Manovi Plage in Cap d’Agde is one such place where you can blissfully spend the whole day. After relishing a day of fun on the beach, you can pop over to the restaurant area for a meal made right on the spot. But there is more to tempt you… off-season! Yes, this is one rare beach restaurant that stays open year-round. And their Sunday brunches, served from September to June, are also worth experiencing.
Plage Richelieu
This time of year calls for recharging your batteries. Even though I was still working in August, that didn’t stop me from shutting down my computer early and heading to the beach. Since Chéri and Middlest were out and about, I decided to take Daughter Dear with me to try out a beach restaurant for my annual review. What a punishment… My eye had fallen on Manovi Plage, located at the tip of Plage Richelieu near the port of Cap d’Agde. And when my daughter and I walked through the doors of this beach restaurant, a true paradise unfolded before us. The absolute best part is that they are open year-round. This means that from October to May, you can enjoy a beach brunch (Sundays only, 39 euros per person), lunch (formule du midi for 19.50 euros on weekdays, excluding the summer months, holidays and weekends), or dinner.
Coastal-Chic
Manovi Plage sits right on the beach opposite Fort Brescou, where we had kayaked earlier this summer. The restaurant boasts a sophisticated coastal-chic design, with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as an outdoor bar with relaxed lounge areas. And right in front of the water are comfortable sunbeds that you can rent per day for 20 euros or 25 euros for a prime spot right at the front. Of course, there is food involved. The menu features a variety of freshly prepared dishes by a cheerful team of chefs and hosts. The options ensure that there’s something to please everyone. And despite being quite a large restaurant, Manovi Plage has quick and friendly service. My girl and I arrived right at the start of the evening service at 19h00, and by the time we left, the place was fully packed. On a Tuesday evening!
Colourful Sunset
The Crispy Platter (23.50 euros) caught my girl’s eye, and she suggested sharing it as a starter. It was a very smart choice, and the various bites were perfect to accompany our card game (Qwixx). After this generous beginning, we opted for a lighter main course. Daughter Dear has this thing with Caesar Salads (20 euros), so that was an easy choice. I took the Thai Salad (19.50), including fried prawns and vegetable gyozas (both of which were part of the Crispy Platter, but they were delicious, so I was happy). I also spotted a ‘fruits de mer’ pasta that looked scrumptious; I’ll have to try it when I have a bigger appetite. We finished our meal with two strawberry creations (10.50 euros each), a beautiful combination of ice cream, mousse, and strawberries served in a tulip-shaped cookie. The real treat, however, was the colourful sunset that capped off our fabulous evening!
