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Etang de Thau

The Etang de Thau is a large (18 km *  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. 

Etang de Thau: tourist information, map, travel plans and gites

Beach east of Marseillan Plage, on the strip of land leading to Sete

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Places to visit - Etang de Thau

Explore places within about 70 kilometres on a map at Visit Etang de Thau.

Some of the closer places are listed below (distances from Etang de Thau are approximate and direct - as the crow flies. Only places listed on the france this way site are shown!)

• Agde Town and resort at 17 km
• Balaruc-le-Vieux Town, Etang de thau at 12 km
• Bouzigues Town, Etang de Thau at 8 km
• Cap d'Agde Naturist resort at 21 km
• Cirque de Moureze Dolomite rock formations at 36 km
• Loupian Town,Etang de thau at 6 km
• Marseillan Town,Etang de thau at 9 km
• Meze Town,Etang de Thau at 3 km
• Pezenas Molieres town at 20 km
• Sete Town, Etang de thau at 11 km

 

Information and photos

This travel guide has information, holidays and photos of Etang de Thau when available. If you have any photos or relevant information please send them to us! Full credit will be given if they are used.