Étang de l'Ayrolle, Lagoon in Gruissan, Aude, France

The Étang de l'Ayrolle is a Mediterranean lagoon of 1,320 hectares between the Étang de Bages-Sigean and the sea, south of the Clape massif in the Aude. It lies mainly in Gruissan and Peyriac-de-Mer, within the Narbonne regional nature park, and is only 0.75 m deep on average, 1.5 m at most. Its northern end continues into the Gruissan salt pans and the Étang du Grazel.

The Étang de l'Ayrolle is a Mediterranean coastal lagoon in the Aude department, south of the Clape massif, between the Étang de Bages-Sigean and the sea. It covers 1,320 hectares, making it the second-largest lagoon in the department after Bages-Sigean, with a maximum depth of 1.5 m. Its northern part holds salt marshes worked by artisans who sell very little of their output. The site is listed under Natura 2000 and the Ramsar project.

Along the shore of the Étang de l'Ayrolle stand old wooden fishing huts that local fishermen have used for generations. Some now serve as small stalls where fresh fish is sold directly after the morning catch.

Access to the Étang de l'Ayrolle starts at the end of the Route des Salins, where parking is available. The paths along the shore are flat and easy to walk, but in hot weather it is better to set out early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

The lagoon is the second-largest in the Aude department after the Étang de Bages-Sigean, covering 1,320 hectares, yet it averages only 0.75 m deep and never exceeds 1.5 m. Its northern end holds salt pans worked by artisans who sell very little of what they produce. Kitesurfing is banned here by prefectoral order.