LAKE SALAGOU.
Half way between the Larzac plateau and the Mediterranean, you will find a huge lake surrounded by and exceptional landscape of vibrant African colours, a land of red soils and volcanoes. In the late 1950`s surveys were carried to out to research the feasability of flooding the Salagou valley with the intention of limiting the rise of the Herault river in times of flood. Also due to overproduction of vineyards a reservoir for irrigation of vines and fruit trees would be provided in an attempt to restructure the scale of agriculture. An off spin would be creation of leisure activities both on and off the water. In the 1960`s a dam was constructed and in 1968 the valley was flooded. One village was flooded and another, Celles, was evacuated when Salagou was flooded only to find that this village was spared, but at this point all houses had been compulsorily purchased and the village remains uninhabited. The nearest large town is Clemont L`Herault and the lake lies about 4 kilometers to the west. The lake is over 6 kilometers long with a long shoreline offering many oppotunities for a day out. Boats with motors are banned (the exception being the rescue launches) so the place remains tranquil haven with swimming, fishing, windsurfing and many aquatic sports in profusion. The shoreline provides beaches and rocky coves upon which to relax, many have shady trees to filter the midday sun. If you wish to go fishing you need to obtain a permit available from the "Tabac" in Octon. www.salagou.net
ETANG DE THAU.
The Etang de Thau a large (18 Km x 5 Km) lagoon - a sea lake that is separated from the Mediterranean by a long thin 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 Languedoc coast. The Canal du Midi enters the etang at Marseillan. Never very deep (average depth 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. This Etang is the largest shellfish centre in the Mediterranean and the leading mussel farming producer in France. 12,000 tonnes of oysters being produced each year. Eaten cooked or raw these shellfish are perfect with a dash of lemon, chopped onion and rosemary vinegar. The region is popular with nature lovers - there are many unusual bird species that inhabit the Etang de Thau. Pink flamingos and egrets are a common sight. The Etang is also popular with sailing schools and other water activity lovers such as windsurfers and kitesurfers. Many other activities are enjoyed by visitors to the region. The renown beaches providing excellent swimming and water based sports. The towns of Bouzigues, Meze, Marseillan and Balaruc-les-Bains are around the shoreline each having their own charm.