Covering 7,500 hectares, the Étang de Thau lagoon is located in the municipality of Bouzigues in Hérault, measuring19 km long and 5 km wide with a mean depth of 4.5 m. This Natura 2000 protected site is the biggest lagoon in Languedoc. The abundance of phytoplankton, a natural resource involved in the cultivation of oysters and mussels, has allowed the expansion of oyster and mussel farming.
The diversity of this small inland sea, with its many shades of blue, is exceptional! Numerous animal and plant species form a precious ecosystem. Algae and flowering plants thrive alongside many species of fish (sardines, sea bream, mackerel, sole, but also slugs, molluscs and crustaceans) which live on different levels, some near the surface and others close to the bottom.
The Bouzigues hollow oyster has been farmed there since Antiquity. The oyster beds now stretch as far as the eye can see, and this business employs nearly two-thousand people, mostly on family-run farms. You can learn more about the art of fishing and shellfish farming by visiting the Étang de Thau Museum, in Bouzigues. The producers based around the lagoon will be happy to meet you, show you their skills and invite you to taste their products.
Although it is a protected site, the Thau Basin is also a leisure destination. You can practise sailing, canoe-kayaking, windsurfing, stand up paddle and kitesurfing there.
Thermalism is also part of the local heritage. Between the Thau lagoon and the Mediterranean, the second largest spa in France, Balaruc-les-Bains, offers its guests the benefits of its healing waters. Those who like to take it easy can enjoy a moment of relaxation and wellness at the O'Balia thermal spa, whose two complementary areas have a variety of atmospheres.
