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The Basin
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 tunneling through hills. It runs 235
kilometers 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, and 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
Basin de Thau to pass between Marseillan and Sete.
BALARUC-LES-BAINS
Balaruc is a colorful resort, built on the flat land next
to the Basin 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.
BOUZIGUES
Bouzigues, is a pretty village nestling on the Basin 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.
Meze
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 center
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.
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 center 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.
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 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.
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