A young woman at the white rocks, looking out over the Thau lagoon.
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Rising to a height of 175 metres, this limestone mountain was, as far back as the Middle Ages, a refuge for pirates but also a place of worship. In the 12th century, a chapel was dedicated to Saint Clair. The Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette chapel was built in 1861 on the site of the former Montmorencette fort, constructed during the reign of Louis XIII.
Outside, the cross erected in 1932 – originally made of wood, now of concrete – is illuminated and visible for kilometres around.
View of the oyster beds and Mont Saint-Clair at sunset
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The Gardiole massif overlooks the Thau lagoon (7,500 hectares). 20 km long and approximately 5 metres deep, the lagoon is bordered by nine riverside towns, some of which can be seen. To the east, past the fuel depot, Frontignan is famous for its sweet wine, Muscat, which is grown in the shade of the Gardiole. Further to the left, jutting out like a peninsula into the lagoon, lies Balaruc-les-Bains, renowned for its thermal baths since ancient times. The oyster and mussel beds mark the towns of Bouzigues and Loupian, situated on the northern shore of the lagoon. The salinity and temperature (between 0°C and +24°C) of the water make the Thau lagoon a major centre for shellfish farming in France. As for the towns of Mèze and Marseillan, you need to head to the western slope of Mont Saint-Clair, at the Pierres Blanches site, to catch a glimpse of them.
At 182 metres, this limestone hill – on which a cross has stood since 1932, visible for kilometres around – was already a refuge for pirates in the Middle Ages, as well as a place of prayer. Today, it offers a marvellous viewpoint over the Gardiole massif and the Thau lagoon (7,500 hectares, 20 km long and approximately 5 m deep), shared between nine neighbouring municipalities, parts of which can be seen:
To the east, past the fuel depot, lie the lagoons of Frontignan, a town famous for its sweet Muscat wine. Further to the left, jutting out like a peninsula into the lagoon, lies Balaruc-Les-Bains, renowned for its thermal baths since ancient times. The mussel and oyster beds mark the boundaries of the towns of Bouzigues and Loupian. The salinity and temperature (between 0°C and +24°C) of the water make the Thau lagoon a major centre for shellfish farming in France. As for the towns of Mèze and Marseillan, you need to head to the western slope of the hill, at the Pierres-Blanches site, to catch a glimpse of them.
Aerial view of the Sète lido, the sea and beaches, and Mont Saint Clair
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View of white rocks, trees, woodland, beach, landscape
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On the north-western slope of Mont Saint Clair, a 27-hectare state-owned forest was home, until 1920, to vineyards and free-roaming sheep. Partially cleared during the Second World War to provide firewood, pine and cedar trees were replanted there from 1963 onwards. Since then, nature has reclaimed its rightful place on this limestone soil. Between the pine forest and the garrigue, some 400 plant species have been recorded, including two protected species: Jupiter’s beard, a flowering shrub, and the gagée, a small crocus with yellow flowers.
From the orientation point, a panoramic view stretches from the Cévennes to the Pyrenees and, on a clear day, as far as Mont Canigou.
