Wildlife
Birds. Hundreds of species use the Thau lagoon and its edges as nesting, wintering or feeding grounds. Sandwich terns, arctic loons, red-necked grackles and whiskered damselflies are protected due to their rarity, in order to ensure their conservation. Sparrows, finches, buzzards, seagulls and gulls can also be seen, as well as the region's emblematic grey heron. A large, solitary wader, it generally perches in tall trees along ponds. It frequents all shallow wetlands and feeds on reptiles, crustaceans, small mammals, fish and even plants. The pink flamingo has also recently settled here. Gathered in colonies of dozens of animals, its element remains salt water, and it is the only wader to have webbed feet.
Mammals. The local mammals are those of a typical Mediterranean ecosystem. Rather small in size, with the exception of a few wild boars, they are found mainly in the hinterland, such as squirrels, field mice and badgers. The Etang de Thau, on the other hand, is teeming with coypu, the proliferation of which is sometimes a problem. Otherwise, introduced by man, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses can sometimes be seen grazing by the roadside.
Reptiles. Very hot in summer, the local climate is a delight for many species of lizard (notably the famous little Mediterranean grey lizards), as well as a few snakes, but these are not venomous, such as the Montpellier snake or, in the ponds, the rarer water snake.
Fish. With the Mediterranean bordering the Archipelago, fish are naturally plentiful. Sea bass, red mullet, sars, scorpion fish and sardines delight amateur fishermen, while dozens of professional fishermen make a living all year round. There is also a strong presence of non-fish-bearing marine species that thrive in the Grande Bleue, such as cuttlefish, from which the famous tielle, Sétoise's specialty, is made. In addition, there are numerous oyster and mussel farms.
Insects. Ants, crickets, wasps... insects are typical of a Mediterranean ecosystem. The cicada - a true emblem of the South - also makes its songs resound during the six weeks of its short lifespan.
Speckled seahorse. A discreet inhabitant of the lagoon testifies to its good health: the seahorse. This mysterious animal lives in the heart of Thau lagoon, in groups of 8 to 12 individuals, and remains in the lagoon all year round. It rarely swims in open water, preferring to hide in the weed beds. If you're lucky and the weather's clear, you'll be able to admire this sea horse on a walk. It stays close to rocky substrates and feeds on zooplankton and small crustaceans, nutrients that are present in large quantities here.
Flora
The local vegetation is typically Mediterranean: low-lying and drought-resistant. With the exception of pine forests, the vegetation is more in the form of bushes or, in the hinterland, holm oaks. Tall grasses are common. Old stone walls are adorned with parietaria, mosses and other lichens adapted to the relatively low rainfall and high summer temperatures. In fact, only the coast, as in Sète, can afford a few palm trees. The most interesting vegetation remains that surrounding the ponds, with its tall grasses and rushes, as well as the underwater vegetation and its numerous algae.
Seagrass beds, the lagoon's treasures, are vast underwater meadows that provide refuge for a variety of animals. They are home to one of Europe's most productive underwater nurseries. These easy-to-grow aquatic plants are important breeding grounds, and require high-quality water. They are therefore indicators of the lagoon's good health, and are highly prized by fishermen.
Oyat is a herbaceous plant that grows mainly in sand. Its long roots extend and anchor at depths of several meters. It plays an essential role in stabilizing dune sand.
Glasswort. This oily plant grows in a salty environment, and can remain submerged for up to 9 months in winter. It is particularly common around ponds.
The reeds can grow up to 3 m tall. Highly resistant, they sway in the winds that batter the Archipelago.
Thau Lagoon
Separated from the sea by a sandy barrier beach, the largest lagoon in the Occitanie region (7500 hectares) reveals its palette of intense blues over 19 km. A reservoir of incredible biodiversity, this Natura 2000 site is home to more than 600 endemic plant and animal species, including the emblematic spotted seahorse. This garden of the sea reflects the extraordinary quality of the environment in which the breeding of oysters and shellfish plays an essential role.
Massif de la Gardiole
Nestled between Montpellier and Sète, this massif charms hikers with its scenery combining canyons and hills in the heart of which the paths blend into the vegetation. The Saint-Félix de Monceau abbey awaits you, wrapped up in its cocoon of garrigue, and marks the start of the trail "Around the abbey" (6.5 km/2 h). During the whole walk, we discover these reliefs which shape the landscape. Under our feet, the limestone rockery accompanies us in the middle of this sparse scrub. The nature is made here to resist to the droughts. Small streams, often dry in the summer season, cross each other in the hollows of the valleys, reminding us of Jordanian scenery. The Gardiole massif is classified as a "natural zone of ecological, faunistic and floristic interest" (ZNIEFF) for its remarkable character.
Frontignan salt flats and Aresquiers wood
Starting from the Aresquiers wood in Vic-la-Gardiole, the magnificent hike "Les Aresquiers" (9 km/3 h) invites walkers and mountain bikers to explore these sceneries formerly exploited by man. Between land and sea, you will discover the salt pans, but also the chain of ponds (of Vic, Pierre Blanche and Ingril) classified in Natura 2000 zone. In the middle of these flooded lands, the water is often only a thin layer in which long-legged birds come to wade to fish their meal. The trail winds through thin strips of land inhabited by reeds or pampas grasses that dance lightly in the sea breeze. As we pass, the herons take flight. A few wooden footbridges allow us to step over the incredible fauna of these marshes without damaging it. The sansouires, or "salt meadows", reveal their salicornia, saladelles ("sea lavender") and other vernacular plants growing on these salty wetlands that crackle nicely on hot days. On the way back, majestic pines offer a pleasant shade and a delicious resin scent.
Reserve of Bagnas
Near Marseillan, this nature reserve is classified as a Natura 2000 site. A wetland of about 600 hectares, it is a real green lung that hosts an extraordinary biodiversity. The area is a fabulous mix of environments that can be explored during public events throughout the year. 200 species of birds share the landscape with 16 species of reptiles, 9 species of amphibians, 30 species of mammals, 25 species of fish and 418 species of insects. It's enough to spend a full day trying to spot these rather discreet inhabitants from the surrounding paths.
Lido
From the heights of Mont Saint-Clair in Sète, you can observe the lido, the infinite tongue of sand that stretches out at your feet between the sea and the Thau lagoon. A "voie verte" (greenway) runs along this beach for over 12 km, making it the perfect place to take a stroll as far as Marseillan! The former salt marshes are home to many water birds, including terns, egrets, herons and even pink flamingos. Pay close attention to the surrounding area, and you're sure to spot vineyards with their feet in the sand. It's on this legendary coastline that the famous Listel is produced, the sandy rosé emblematic of the Languedoc terroir. On the other side of these endless beaches, the Thau lagoon is home to a wide range of shellfish farms, with the famous "tables conchylicoles" (shellfish tables) recognizable from afar.
Forest of the White Stones
In Sète, the state-owned Pierres Blanches forest offers numerous footpaths with extraordinary views over the Mediterranean, the Etang de Thau and the lido. On 20 hectares of pine forest, rich in 700 plant species, some of which are very rare, you can walk around, looking at the horizon and your senses alert. On a clear day, you will see the Pyrenees and the Canigou Mountain in the distance. Spectacular! Thanks to a free application, you can enjoy a guided tour while enjoying the landscape in complete freedom.
