Visit the pond of Thau : full guide

Looking for freshness in Occitania? Head to Marseillan and follow our full guide to visit the pond of Thau!

Considered as the largest pond in the Languedoc, the Thau Basin is a major attraction for residents as well as visitors. It gives rise to a series of artisanal exploitations that accelerate its economic and tourist development. Today, the pond is a superb seaside resort offering a wide range of outdoor activities. See below our full guide to help you visit the pond of Thau!

The pond of Thau in a few words

With an area of 7,500 hectares, the pond of Thau is a huge expanse of water on the Mediterranean Sea. Considered as a true small inner sea, it houses rich biodiversity. In addition, the abundance of phytoplankton in its waters leads to the coming of the main artisanal activities of the pond: mytiliculture and Ostreiculture.

But the area is also renowned for its fishing activities and local conchyliculture. The village of Bouzigues, located on the edge of the pond, is specialized in the cultivation of oysters and mussels. Moreover, a museum is erected in its honor to make you discover all the artisanal history of the pond.

With an average depth of 4.5 m, the Thau basin can actually reach up to 10 m of depth in some funds. Open to nautical activities, you will have the choice to make the full of sensations or discover the aquatic fauna of the pond.

1. Hiking

Before you put your feet in the water, enjoy the beautiful coastal landscape of the pond of Thau. Through the communities around the basin, marked circuits will take you to discover a remarkable nature, biodiversity and local heritage.

• On the hills of La Moure: go through kermes oaks, on the foothills of the Aumelas Plateau, and join a viewpoint on the blue waters of the Thau;
• From Saint-Felix to Gardiole : this course 9.5 km offers exceptional views to the Saint-Félix Abbey of Montceau;
• The path of Aresquiers: follow one of the largest protected areas of the pond. After meeting the pink flamingos, the itinerary takes you to a pine forest full of scents.

2. The tasting of oysters

And yes, there is not only the Atlantic that offers oysters. The pond of Thau is also a high place of ostreiculture. Therefore, take a moment to give you a gourmet break, to discover this mollusc that makes the pride of the premises.

Accompany your oysters with a good white wine and everything will be gathered to spend a good time with family or friends!

3. The mountain bike ride

To visit the pond of Thau, let the sea wind blow in your hair during a mountain bike ride.

Around the basin, a long loop 57,5 km Visit the five must-see cities of Marseillan, Mèze, Bouzigues, Balaruc-les-Bains and Sète. On the other hand, you will have the opportunity to co-locate wildlife and see oyster parks or local marshes.

Terms and rates

• You can rent your bike at the tourist office of Balaruc or at Bikemed in Sète;
• For one day, renting a mountain bike or VTC is back 14€ ;
• Provide a deposit check 300€.

4. Equestrian ride

At the start of the Mèze stables, play the riders and visit the Garrigue and the pond of Thau with family or friends.

Pony or horseback hikes will take you to Via Domitia, the hills of La Moure, the pond of Thau and the Mediterranean coast.

Terms and rates

• An equestrian ride for an adult costs between 18€ and 20€ ;
• 4 beginners or 5 confirmed are permitted to the maximum;
• The rides last on average 1h to 3h ;
• They are also adapted to persons with reduced mobility, who shall be taken to the carriage;
• From 8 years.

5. The quad hike

Need escape and strong sensations? Piment the pleasure of hiking by trying the quad, an original way to visit the pond of Thau!

At the gates Beziers , explore the winding paths that will lead you to the Thau basin and its coastal towns. In addition, you will be supervised by a monitor. The quad hike is the ideal activity to get rid of friends.

Terms and rates

• An individual course 2h costs 65€ ;
• For 2 people, the price rises 100€;
• Provide a deposit check 600€
• The driver's license is mandatory.

6. The canoë-kayak

Let’s finally approach the salty waters of the pond of Thau. Find a little sweetness at the sea current with a canoe ride!

Dorades, eels, hippocampes, pink flamingos... The pond of Thau offers a unique fauna, an exceptional natural jewel. Also go to the discovery of the area of ostericulture, small ports of Bouzigues, Mèze and Marseillan. Finally, stop on the island of Sète where Brassens loved to taste bears.

Terms and rates

• This activity costs 35€ for adults and 5€ for children 6 years and 9 years ;
• The duration of the visit is2:30 ;
• It is necessary to know how to swim ;
• Minors must be accompanied by adults compulsory.

7. Kitesurf

Spend a holiday at the pond of Thau and its sunny coast, it is the perfect opportunity to give you kitesurfing!

In Marseillan-Plage, test this alternative to surfing in the best conditions. Indeed, the basin is an ideal learning spot for its ease and safety. With little clapot, clear and ventilated in all directions, you can slip through the wind and make the full of strong sensations!

Terms and rates

• A high season discovery course costs 165€ ;
• A two-day consecutive internship returns 310€ ;
• The price of a particular course for two people is at 290€ ;
• Payments must be made by cheque, transfer or holiday check.

8. The stand-up paddle

Test your balance on an oversized board by trying the stand-up paddle. Indeed, this activity is perfect if you want to visit the pond of Thau calmly.

Paddle gently along oyster cultures and small local ports! On the other hand, you may have the chance to see a hippocampe hidden between two seaweeds under water.

Terms and rates

• A one hour baptism returns to 15€ ;
• Over a period of time1:30, the price of visits in group of 5 persons is 150€ ;
• The minimum age is 12 years ;
• Finally, each participant must know how to swim.

9. The sailing tour

With its shallow basin, it is easy to sail peacefully on the salted and protected streams of the pond of Thau.

In Balaruc-les-Bains, take a sailing trip with a nautical guide! Adapted to any level, the waters of the pond welcome you for a serene navigation, from morning to sunset.

Terms and rates

• A special course in duo costs 35€ by person;
• A windsurf can also be rented for the sum of 13€ during 2h ;
• Shorty combinations and lifejackets are available for use 2€ the meeting;
• It is compulsory know how to swim.

10. One boat ride

Want to discover more closely the fishing and conchyliculture of the pond of Thau? So get on a catamaran for a nautical walk at sunset!

With a former oyster farmer, explore oyster parks during a commented visit. In addition, it is also the opportunity for you to enjoy some, accompanied by a wine aboard the boat!

Terms and rates

• For an expedition at sunset to discover the parks, plan 13€ by person;
• Extra charge 9€ is asked if you want to taste local products.
• For children between 4 years and 12 years, the rate will decrease 7€.

11. Dive

But visiting the pond of Thau is also taking into account its depth!

Indeed, the seabeds of the basin also hide a vast aquatic kingdom. More specifically, its atypical lagoon environment gives way to a large number of endemic species: hippocampes, seiches, nudibranches, wolves... So go to their meeting at the departure of Balaruc-les-Bains during a baptism or diving exploration.

Terms and rates

• A baptism for two people costs 100€ ;
• On the other hand, a level 3 descent will return to you 590€, litter and bottle included ;
• Whole diving equipment can be rented for 12€ ;
• Activity is prohibited cardiac persons and pregnant women.

12. A ULM expedition

After swiping the waters of the pond of Thau, take altitude for a unique experience!

Overfly in ULM the unique island, its port, its canals, its eight-and-mold parks and mussels offer a new perspective of the area. In the company of a monitor, perform your baptism and make sensations in a short time.

Terms and rates

• For a walk1h, the rate is from 140€ ;
• Activity is weather conditions ;
• It is also accessible to people to reduced mobility.

13. A plane flight

Finally, for the last step of our guide, stay in the clouds and try your first initiation flight!

Beyond Sète and Mont Saint-Clair, fly over Palavas , Carnon, Aresquiers and the pond accompanied by a guide. Indeed, there is nothing like this to appreciate the beauty of the Thau basin in its entirety. Thus, you will have closed your stay the heart filled with emotions!

Terms and rates

• For one person, a plane flight costs 61€ ;
• Activity is also weather conditions ;
• He is strongly recommended I'm telling you, I'm gonna take the flight.

After following this guide you will know the pond of Thau from its depths to its highest peaks!