Lido de Thau, Protected area in Hérault, France
The Lido de Thau is a coastal strip that separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Thau Lagoon, formed by sand, dunes, and natural vegetation. This narrow barrier stretches for several kilometers and creates a distinctive landscape where water and land meet.
The dune barrier took shape around 6000 years ago through deposits of sand and sediment moved by the sea and coastal currents. This gradual geological process created the separation between the Mediterranean and the lagoon that exists today.
The salt marshes here tell the story of regional salt production traditions that remain part of local identity. Walking through, you can observe how this landscape reflects generations of work and continues to shape how people relate to the area.
You can reach this area from Sète through marked paths and walking routes designed for nature observation. The terrain is easy to navigate on foot, but sturdy shoes are helpful for sandy and sometimes damp ground.
This site hosts hundreds of plant species found nowhere else in the region, with several protected varieties that grow only in this specific landscape. It also serves as a critical stopover point for millions of migratory birds traveling between Africa and northern Europe.
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