Why did you choose the name Archipel de Thau?

The name refers to the Thau Lagoon, a key natural feature that unites the local authorities in the area both geographically and culturally. By adopting this name, a shared identity centred on this common aquatic heritage has been established, one that is recognised far beyond administrative boundaries.

Which municipalities make up the Thau Archipelago?

The Thau Archipelago comprises: Sète, Frontignan, Mèze, Balaruc-les-Bains, Balaruc-le-Vieux, Gigean, Villeveyrac, Loupian, Montbazin, Poussan, Mireval, Vic-la-Gardiole and Bouzigues. Together, they form a cohesive region centred on the Thau basin and the Mediterranean coastline.

In what way is the Thau Lagoon central to the region’s identity and challenges?

The Thau Lagoon is France’s second-largest coastal lagoon, covering nearly 7,500 hectares. It is home to a major oyster and shellfish farming industry, a recognised protected ecosystem, and is a major tourist attraction. Its preservation is a cross-cutting issue which, in itself, justifies strong and coordinated inter-municipal governance.

Why the Thau Archipelago?

Since the dawn of its history, this region, nestled between land and sea, has shaped its character through its people: winegrowers, fishermen, farmers and traders. It has been shaped by a diversity of activities and cultures from here, Italy and Spain, transforming it into a vibrant, welcoming and stunning region.

A shaped landscape by its inhabitants since time immemorial

Even today, having become a popular destination, the Thau Archipelago thrives thanks to its inhabitants, their traditions and their passions. The name itself is a gentle metaphor. For this archipelago comprises a cluster of villages linked by the waters of the lagoons, the Mediterranean and the canals. A collection of islands, each with its own treasures, its own heritage and its own customs, which they have learnt to share, creating an unbreakable bond.

A gentle metaphor Villages linked by water

Whilst the oyster farmers of Bouzigues introduce us to their craft, just a few kilometres away, the winegrowers of Frontignan cultivate Muscat grapes. Thrill-seekers take to the skies above the waters of the Étang de Vic, whilst sea spray accompanies bathers on the waves of the Mediterranean. Contemporary art takes hold of Sète and its riverbanks, whilst inland in Loupian, mosaics tell the story of a Roman era long gone.

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A vast lagoon where history blends with the good life

It is this collection of islands that makes up the Thau Archipelago, flourishing around this vast lagoon, this almost imaginary lagoon, a place of life and encounter, where one is lulled by the gentle way of life and the fervour of traditions, where history blends with innovation, where art enhances nature. Here, the sea is an extension of the land, its colours rippling across the landscape with the changing seasons, whether under the sun or on grey days, without ever dampening the warmth of those who live here.

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