Saint-Peter's church

L’église Sainte-Thérèse

The Church of Saint-Pierre in Grau-du-Roi: a seaside sanctuary, witness to the rise of a maritime village
In the seaside resort of Grau-du-Roi, just a short walk from the old port and bustling quays, stands a church with a little-known history, yet emblematic of the evolution of the Languedoc coast: the Church of Saint-Pierre, patron saint of fishermen. This modest, blond stone building, simple in appearance but full of meaning, reflects the birth, growth, and deep attachment of a community to its land and the sea.

A village born from the waters: the origins of Grau-du-Roi
Grau-du-Roi has not always been an independent commune. Until the 19th century, it was merely a maritime hamlet attached to the fortified town of Aigues-Mortes. In Occitan, the word "grau" refers to a natural or artificial channel connecting a lagoon to the sea. The "grau du roi" was therefore the royal passage between the Arnel pond, then the Repausset-Levant pond, and the Mediterranean, dug and maintained to provide maritime access to the port of Aigues-Mortes, founded by Saint Louis.

Little by little, this crossing point transformed into a fishing village. Starting in the 18th century, a few families settled there permanently, making a living from fishing and sailing. The population grew slowly, and the need for a permanent place of worship became apparent. Until then, the faithful had to travel several kilometers to Aigues-Mortes to attend mass.