Establishment of the village 1968 (≈ 1968)
Design by Georges Candilis, inauguration.
23 juillet 2014
Heritage protection
Heritage protection 23 juillet 2014 (≈ 2014)
Registration of facades and bungalows.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of all the buildings of the village and, in whole, bungalows T 3, 4, 5, 10, as well as the ground of the plots, including the installations located on the beach, according to the plan annexed to the decree (Box DM 194, 194): inscription by order of 23 July 2014
Key figures
Georges Candilis - Architect
Village designer, social housing specialist.
Origin and history
The VVF "Les Carrats", located in Port-Leucate in the municipality of Leucate (Occitanie), is an emblematic achievement of architect Georges Candilis, specialist in social housing. Designed in 1968, this holiday village illustrates its theory of "house shelter" or patio house, thought for a summer lifestyle turned outwards. The ensemble, composed of bungalows, small collectives and beachside amenities, adopts a cubic concrete aesthetic, with characteristic roof terraces.
The architecture of the Carrats adapts to the Mediterranean climate and the needs of holidaymakers, favouring open spaces and simple volumes. The facades and roofs of all buildings, as well as some bungalows and beach amenities, were protected by a registration order in 2014, recognizing their heritage value. This project also reflects the social innovation of the post-war period, with property run by a public institution, aimed at democratizing access to leisure.
Georges Candilis, a major figure in modern architecture, applies functionalist and humanist principles. The village, with its assembled cubes and collective spaces, embodies an optimistic vision of mass tourism, while integrating climate and social concerns. Today, it bears witness to a period when architecture was at the service of popular holidays, in a preserved Mediterranean setting.
