L'ÉTANG DE THAU

The Etang de Thau is the largest and deepest of the Languedoc-Roussillon lagoons (4.5 m on average and up to 10 m). As a true inland sea, the Etang de Thau is only separated from the Mediterranean by a slender strip of sand known as the lido. The Etang de Thau is a natural environment that is unparalleled in Europe. It has outstanding ecological diversity enabling more than 400 plant species and 100 animal species to thrive; these include the clam, sea snail, sea urchin, sea bream, mullet and "loup" bass (known as "bar" in the Atlantic). Shellfish are the main resource of the Etang de Thau. 2800 shellfish beds, divided between 800 operations, produce Bouzigues oysters and mussels.