Languedoc Guide

Advice

Anecdotes

Useful Links

Contact Us

 

   

L'étang de Thau ou bassin de Thau

 

The Bassin de Thau is a natural saltwater lake separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow sand bar. It is the only navigable etang on the Mediterranean coast. Numerous villages, and towns of interest surround it.
 Apart from tourism with numerous holiday cruisers for hire, it is an important area for the production of shell fish, with large quantities being imported from the cold waters of the French Atlantic coast. As a result of being re inserted in the warm waters of the Basin the shell fish reaches maturity in a much shorter period of time.
 

 

                                                      
                                                                                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

 

CANAL DU MIDI
 
 The Canal du Midi was an amazing engineering project. Started in 1666, by up to 12,000 men, digging by hand, crossing rivers, and tunnelling through hills. It runs 235 kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. It's waters are replenished from the mysterious Montagne Noir. Throughout its length there are over 100 locks.
 It was a dream of Paul Riquet, born in Beziers, to join the economies of the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. The Canal was constructed as a result of his ideas. He was so determined to ensure its completion, that he financed the project himself, sacrificing everything. He even used his daughter’s dowry for the cause, and died penniless, just prior to its completion.
 Villages and towns reaped huge profits during its golden days, as can be seen by the grand homes, and chateaux that grace the waters edge. Now canal boats cruise it’s length, full of tourists, and leisure seekers. Some lock keeper’s houses still house the lock operators, whilst others have been opened as restaurants, art galleries, and holiday homes.
 The “Neuf Ecluses” (the nine locks) at Beziers is an interesting place to view the canal, as is the bridge that takes the canal across the River Orb. The Canal uses the Bassin de Thau to pass between Marseillan and Sete. 

Le Canal du Midi en Languedoc  

 

 

 

BALARUC-LES-BAINS
 
 Balaruc is a colourful resort, built on the flat land next to the Bassin de Thau. With beautiful vistas across the lake towards Sete, it is a pleasure to visit, either for water sports or for therapeutic needs. This is the third most visited spa in France, where many are happy to be basted with a mixture of sea mud, heavily chlorinated, and sodium potent spa water. Apparently this has been proved to aide the treatment of bone disorders and rheumatism.

 http://www.balaruc-les-bains.com

 

 

 

 

Bouzigues
 
 Bouzigues, is a pretty village nestling on the Bassin de Thau, and offers glorious views towards Sete, and should not be missed by those lovers of oysters and mussels. Visit the museum of the Étang de Thau. Situated on the harbour quay, it offers an insight into the fishing industry, and the mussel, and oyster farms that are so much part of the landscape here.

 Bouzigues : coquet village dans le Bassin de Thau

 

 

 

 

Mèze
 
 A town devoted to the production of mussels, and oysters, but also a popular tourist resort with sandy beaches on the lake. You will find numerous stalls lining the main streets selling shellfish. Mèze has an aquaculture research centre called the “Station de Lagunage”, with information, films, photographs, and displays. The town’s streets are picturesque around the harbour, and are busy in the height of Summer.
Mèze, une nature méditerranéenne

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marseillan
 
 The charming village of Marseillan was founded by a wandering fisherman from Marseille, in the 6th century AD. It is a busy port attracting tourists and fishermen alike. Close by are the famous Wine Caves of Noilly-Prat, that are well worth a visit. It is also a centre for the hire of holiday cruisers. Nearby is the village of Pinet, famous for its dry white wine, but also its animated crib in the church. The crib is made up of Santons, (dolls), dressed to represent different trades, and only found in the south of France. 
http://www.ville-marseillan.fr/

 

 

 

 

 

 

SETE
 
Sete is an important fishing, and commercial port, but also a popular tourist resort with sandy beaches. It is possible to get a car ferry from here to North Africa.
 
 Known as the ‘Venice of Languedoc’, the town is dissected by numerous canals. where you can see water jousting, that dates back to 1666. This is a popular attraction, where two boats, a red and a blue, are rowed towards each other with jousters standing on raised platforms, attempting to knock their opponent into the water with long lances. Meanwhile, ashore, a band plays music to encourage the competitors. August 25 (St Louis's Day) is probably the best day to view this spectacle, but it does take place frequently during the summer months.

Another festival connected to the sea is the festival of St Peter, where the patron saint of fishermen is carried aboard a boat, adorned with flowers, that are later sprinkled over the water.
 
 Sète is the perfect place to visit at any time of the year. It is always busy with fishing boats, and people wandering its many picturesque streets. If you want somewhere to eat a fish meal - this is the place. After dinner walks, are pleasantly rewarded, by panoramic views of the sea, and the glorious landscape of Languedoc from Mont St Clair, an extinct volcano.
Office de Tourisme de Sète