Seaside, canal and lagoon

The beach, uninterrupted sand for ten miles along the Mediterranean shore, is only 10 minutes' drive to its nearest point: Marseillan Plage. In winter it is quite deserted apart from the occasional walkers, and in summer the beach itself is not crowded along its full length. By 2011 all parking will be off the new road, back from the beach.

Right. Sète in the distant haze

The beautiful Canal du Midi, listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO, starts here, and a holiday could well be combined with a week's cruising. The Canal was built between 1666 and 1681 by Paul Riquet to link the Mediterranean to Toulouse, then along the Garonne to the Atlantic at Bordeaux. It stretches for 240 kilometres, for much of the way under huge sheltering plane trees. The canal path is ideal for walking or cycling on a hot summer day.

Right. The Canal du Midi near Béziers

The Étang de Thau is alive with boats - and full of oysters and mussels. If you bring a boat, there's a slipway just by. You can take short cruises across the étang to the oyster and mussel beds on the Etoile de Thau, or go to Sète, or Cap d'Agde, for a greater choice of boat trips. Boats can be hired for the day or week.

Right. The Main Port at Marseillan