Designated as a Natura 2000 protected site, the Thau Lagoon is the largest body of water in the Occitanie region. This coastal lagoon is separated from the Gulf of Lion by a narrow sandy barrier that links the volcanic headland of Agde to Mont Saint-Clair in Sète. Shellfish farming is the lagoon’s main economic activity. More than 2,800 shellfish-growing tables, operated by around 800 farms, are dedicated to the cultivation of oysters and mussels. A true inland sea, the Thau Lagoon is an exceptional natural environment renowned for its remarkable ecological diversity.

Throughout the course, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Sète, the town beloved by Georges Brassens, as well as its Saint Louis Church, home to the city’s patron saint. You will also discover Balaruc-les-Bains, France’s leading spa resort, and the traditional fishing villages of Bouzigues and Mèze. Along the route, you will pass oyster-farming tables, the canals of Sète, and its picturesque fishermen’s quarter known as « La Pointe Courte ».

The Sea Theatre will rise before you, and as you look up, you will see the Marine Cemetery, where Paul Valéry and Jean Vilar are laid to rest. The course also includes a 5-kilometre stretch at sea. For the 2026 edition, you will have the unique opportunity to row among magnificent traditional sailing ships during Escale à Sète, the biennial celebration of Mediterranean maritime traditions.

Along the way, you will discover the spectacular Languedoc water jousting tradition and gain insight into the many trades and crafts associated with life at sea.