Etang de Thau
The Etang de Thau is a large (18 km * 6 km) lagooon - a sea-lake that is separated from the Mediterranean by a long thing cordon of raised sand. The Mediterranean can be accessed from the Etang at Marseillan and Sete. The Etang de Thau is the largest of the lagoons along the Langudoc coast. The Canal du Midi enters the etang at Marseillan.
Never very deep (average depth is 5 metres), the Etang has long been an important resource in the region. The region has been inhabited since neolithic times, although it was the Greeks and Romans who were first to extract salt from the sea in the etang. Nowadays, as well as salt, the Etang de Thau is an important region for supplying oysters and mussels.
The region is popular with nature lovers - there are many unusual bird species that inhabit the Etang de Thau. It is also popular with sailing schools and other water activity lovers such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
Many activities are followed by visitors to the region, including beaches and water based sports, walking and cycling, following local wine routes, taking barge trips along the Canal du Midi, and exploring the attractive towns.
The towns of Bouzigues, Loupian, Meze and Balaruc-le-Vieux are around the northern end of the lake, and Marseillan and Marseillan Plage at the southern end.
There is a very large project underway to improve the coastline between Sete and Marseillan Plage - a very long strip of beach that is being 'renewed' and improved. At the time of writing (spring 2008) the section of the coastline at the Marseillan Plage end has been largely completed.
Visit Etang de Thau (Languedoc-Roussillon, Herault) travel, gites and hotels
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The Etang de Thau hotels listed feature descriptions, guest reviews, ratings, location maps, online booking etc. as well as the 'best-price' guarantee. The search for hotels in Etang de Thau is provided by booking.com. General holiday / vacation options- See Herault gites for Sète holiday rentals - Holiday villages in Languedoc-Roussillon Holidays nearbyLooking for something close by? See a wide choice of hotels, holiday villages and holiday rentals at: VisitSee Visit Etang de Thau for places to visit near Etang de Thau including: a detailed map, villages in bloom and most beautiful villages DiscussAsk questions or leave a comment about Etang de Thau in our Languedoc-Roussillon forum Montpellier airport at 44 km Nimes airport at 98 km Perpignan airport at 108 km Etang de Thau property for saleSee Languedoc-Roussillon property for sale
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Places to visit near Etang de Thau, France
Explore places of interest within about 70 kilometres on a map at places near Etang de Thau.
Some places to visit within 30 km: 
17 km: Agde (Town and resort) 12 km: Balaruc-le-Vieux (Town, Etang de thau) 8 km: Bouzigues (Town, Etang de Thau) 21 km: Cap d'Agde (Naturist resort) 36 km: Cirque de Moureze (Dolomite rock formations) 6 km: Loupian (Town,Etang de thau) 9 km: Marseillan (Town,Etang de thau) 3 km: Meze (Town,Etang de Thau) 20 km: Pezenas (Molieres town) 11 km: Sete (Town, Etang de thau)
See also Etang de Thau (version Francais)
