History & Civilization
The land adjoining the long sandy beach at Cap d’Agde was owned for many years by the Oltra family who farmed the olive groves behind the sand dunes adjoining the beach. After World War II the brothers noticed that people were coming in increasing numbers to camp on their land, and that many of these people liked to bathe and to sunbathe nude.
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In the early 1970’s the government of Georges Pompidou drew up plans for the development of the Languedoc-Roussillon coastline. Naturism initially had no part in these proposals, but Rene Oltra, one of the brothers, persuaded the authorities to include plans for a naturist resort at Cap d’Agde.
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The first developments were at Port Nature and Port Ambonne where flats, shops and pools were constructed. Later, Heliopolis and Port Venus were built and Port Nature was considerably extended. The flats were sold and the owners often leased them when they did not require them for their own use.
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By the beginning of the 1990’s many of the commercial undertakings were struggling to survive, or had failed altogether. This period saw the beginning of what was to prove an invasion by libertines. Several new libertine clubs opened, culminating in 1998 with the opening of the Villa Romaine, a libertine club which includes three bars and an enormous under croft devoted to sexual pleasure.
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In 2005 the local authority granted planning permission for the owner of a libertine club to demolish the swimming pool in the center of Heliopolis and to replace it with 65 apartments and a smaller pool all of which is designated as a libertine development, exclusive to couples.
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The Naturist Village has never been affiliated to any formal naturist organisation, national or international. Its rules are over thirty years old and appear to be ignored and there is a charter which has no legal basis. There are now no fewer than six large libertine clubs and many smaller libertine venues in the Naturist Village including shops and bars.