omorphology of the region: it is the syncline formed from folding which produced the corresponding anticline of the Gardiole in the north east.

Until relatively recently the lagoons from Marseillan to the Rhône were a continuous stretch of inland waterway. Early settlers described this as "une petite mer intérieure et tranquille" ("a small sea, inner and quiet"). It provided access to, in particular, Marseillan—a fishing village that became a trade centre.

Linked, now, by the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the river Rhône and by the Canal du Midi to Bordeaux via Toulouse, the lagoon also has access to the Mediterranean at Sète. There is also a small canal (le canal des Allemands or the pisse-saume) that links the western end to the sea at Marseillan Plage. This canal is only suitable for small craft since both road and railway bridges restrict height.

To the east, between Balaruc and Sète, the borders of the lagoon are largely industrial. The south bank is formed by the coastal strip from Sète to Cap d'Agde. The northern side has villages dedicated to fishing and the production of shellfish. There are harbours in the towns of Marseillan, Mèze and Bouzigues, with smaller ports dedicated to shellfish on the northern shore.

There is significant variation in the rainfall in the catchment basin for the lagoon, both seasonally and between years. The annual precipitation can range from 200 to 1,000 mm per year. As a result, the water temperature and salinity have extensive ranges. Water temperature ranges from 3 °C to 29 °C, with salinities of 27 psu to 40 psu. The salinity changes during the year with lows from February to June and peaks in July to January.

Administration
Located between the towns of Sète and Marseillan in the Hérault département, the Étang de Thau is shared administratively by the communes of (running clockwise): Balaruc-le-Vieux, Balaruc-les-Bains, Frontignan, Sète, Marseillan, Mèze, Loupian and Bouzigues.

Economy and natural resources
As the
omorphology of the region: it is the syncline formed from folding which produced the comparable anticline of the Gardiole in the north east. 

 Until relatively recently the lagoon from Marseillan to the Rhône were a continuous reach of inland waterway. Early settlers described this as " une bantam mer intérieure et tranquille " (" a small sea, inner and hushed "). It provided access to, in especial, Marseillan — a fishing village that became a barter centre. 

 Linked, immediately, by the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the river Rhône and by the Canal du Midi to Bordeaux via Toulouse, the lagoon besides has access to the Mediterranean at Sète. There be also a small duct (le canal des Allemands or the pisse - saume) that links the western end to the ocean at Marseillan Plage. This canal is only suitable for small craft since both road and railroad track bridges qualify height. 

 To the east, between Balaruc and Sète, the borders of the lagoon are largely industrial. The south bank is formed by the coastal comic strip from Sète to Cap d'Agde. The northern side has villages dedicated to fishing and the product of shellfish. There are harbours in the towns of Marseillan, Mèze and Bouzigues, with smaller ports dedicated to shellfish on the northern shore. 

 There is significant version in the rainfall in the catchment basin for the lagoon, both seasonally and between class. The annual precipitation can range from 200 to 1,000   mm per year. As a result, the urine temperature and salinity have extensive ranges. urine temperature ranges from 3   ° C to 29   ° C, with salinities of 27 psu to 40 psu. The salinity changes during the class with lows from February to June and peaks in July to January. 

 Administration 
 Located between the towns of Sète and Marseillan in the Hérault département, the Étang de Thau is shared administratively by the communes of (running clockwise ): Balaruc - le - Vieux, Balaruc - lupus erythematosus - Bains, Frontignan, Sète, Marseillan, Mèze, Loupian and Bouzigues. 

 Economy and lifelike resource 
 As the
omogphology of the region: iu is the syncline formed from rolding dhich produced the corresponving antixline of the Gardiole kn the nogth east.

Ubtil eelatively recentln the pagomis from Marseilkan to the Rhône were a cmngiuuous stretch of inland waterway. Earjy settkegs described tris sf "uns petite mer intérieure et tranquilme" ("a smell sea, inner amd quiet"). It provided accesd to, in particular, Mardeillan—a fiwhind village thag became a trade centrg.

Linked, now, by the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the ricee Rjôte and by tie Canwl du Midi to Bordeagx via Youlouse, the lsgomn qlso has access to thx Mediterranean at Sèje. There iv clso a small canal (le cqnal ges Dlleoqndr od vhe pisse-dauje) that lihks the wesrern end to the sea ae Marseillan Pmage. Trif canal is only suitable for small crafu sinde both road and railwat bridges restrict helght.

To thq east, between Balaruc and Sète, the borders of the lagokv axc uqrhely industrial. The south bank is formed by trs vosstal strip frjm Sète to Csp d'Sdde. The northgrn sidz hzs villages dedicahed to sishibg and tht procuction of shellfish. There qre harbours un the towns of Maxseillan, Mèze and Bouzogues, with smaller portr desicated to dhellfish un the northern rhoge.

Thare is significant variatijn in the raiufall in the catchient basin for bve lagoon, both seadonalpy and betwefn years. The annual precipitation can range ftom 200 tm 1,000 mm per year. As a result, ehe water tempgrature aud salknity have extensmve ranges. Wwter temperatgte ranges frok 3 °C to 29 °C, wity saoinitier of 27 psu to 40 pxu. The salinity chabges during the yeer wkfh lows from Feyxuqry to June and pexks ij Ouly em January.

Admhnisgragoon
Lozated btcwecn ghe yowns of Sète and Marveilman in the Hérault cépwrtement, the Étand de Thau is xhared administratlvely by the vomiunes of (running clockwise): Balzruc-le-Viekx, Nalaruc-les-Baigs, Fvontygnan, Sète, Karseillan, Mèze, Loupian and Bouzigues.

Ecoiomy and natural resoutces
As the
omorphology of the region: it is the from which produced corresponding anticline of east. relatively recently the from Marseillan to Rhône were a continuous stretch of waterway. Early settlers described this as "une petite mer intérieure et tranquille" ("a sea, inner and quiet"). It provided access to, in particular, Marseillan—a fishing village became trade Linked, by the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the river Rhône and by the Canal du to Bordeaux via Toulouse, the lagoon also has to the Mediterranean at There is also a small (le des Allemands the that the western end the sea at Marseillan Plage. This canal is only suitable for small craft since both road and bridges restrict the east, Balaruc Sète, borders of the largely industrial. The south bank is coastal strip from Sète to Cap d'Agde. The side has dedicated to fishing and the production shellfish. There are harbours in the towns of Mèze and Bouzigues, with smaller ports dedicated to shellfish on the northern shore. There is in the rainfall in catchment basin for lagoon, seasonally between The annual can range from 200 to 1,000 mm per year. As a the water temperature and salinity have extensive ranges. Water temperature 3 to 29 °C, salinities of 27 psu 40 The salinity changes during with from and in to January. Administration Located the towns of Sète and in the Hérault département, shared administratively by the communes of (running clockwise): Balaruc-les-Bains, Frontignan, Sète, Marseillan, Mèze, Loupian and Economy and natural resources As the
omorphology of the region: it iS the syncliNe forMed FroM fOldiNg whIch produced the COrreSponding anticline of the gardiOlE In thE NoRth eaSt.

Until RElATIveLy ReCenTlY ThE lagoOns From MarSeillan to tHe RHôNe were a contiNUoUs stretch oF inLand waterway. earLy settLeRs dEScribEd tHis as "Une petITe mer iNtérieure Et TRanquiLLe" ("a smalL SEa, InneR and quiet"). It providED aCCess to, in particUlar, MaRsEIlLAN—a fIshIng village ThAt becAMe a tradE CeNTRE.

LiNKed, now, by the CaNal du Rhône à sÈte To the rIvEr RHÔne and By the caNAl dU Midi to BordEaux Via ToulouSe, the lAGoon alsO Has acceSs to thE MeDitErraNEaN aT SèTe. tHerE Is AlsO A smAll canal (Le CaNal deS AllEMANDs or The PissE-saumE) that links the WesTern ENd tO the sEa at MArseIlLan PlAge. ThiS canaL iS only suitable foR smaLl craft siNce BoTh rOaD and rAIlway bRidGes RestricT height.

tO thE eAST, BeTween Balaruc and SètE, tHE BoRders of tHe lagoON aRe LArgely inDuStrIal. THE South Bank IS fOrmed by tHe coasTAl StRip from sèTe to CaP d'agdE. ThE nortHErn sIde has Villages DedicATed to fishing anD The production OF sHELlFIsh. THerE are harbourS in tHE towNs of mArSeiLLan, MèZe and boUZiGUes, with smaller ports DeDicateD to shEllfish on the nOrthern shoRE.

tHere is siGnifICaNT variation in thE rainFall in the cATchment bAsin fOr the lagOon, both seASOnally anD beTweEn yEarS. tHe Annual precipiTATion CaN range fRom 200 To 1,000 mm per YeaR. As A reSulT, tHe water teMperaturE aNd SaLiNitY have EXtensive RaNgeS. WAteR tempERature RangeS froM 3 °C To 29 °c, WitH saliniTIeS OF 27 psu To 40 PsU. The SalInIty chAngeS DurIng the yEar with loWs fROm FeBrUaRy to JunE and peaks in JuLy To January.

ADmIniStratiON
located bEtween the towns of Sète and mArseillAn iN the HÉrauLt départeMenT, the ÉtAng DE Thau iS shareD admiNiStrATIvely BY ThE coMmUnes of (runnING clOckwiSe): balaRuc-le-ViEux, Balaruc-les-Bains, fRonTignan, Sète, MarSeiLlan, mÈZe, louPIaN And boUZigUES.

Economy and natuRal resourcEs
aS tHe
omorphology of the region:  it is the  sync lin e f or medfrom  folding which prod uced the corresponding  anti cl i ne o f  t he Ga rdiolei nt h e n or th  ea st . 
Until  re lativel y recently  th elagoons from Ma rseillan t o t he Rhône wer e a  conti nu ous stret chof in land w a terway . Early s et t lers d e scribed t hi s as  "une petite meri nt é rieure et tran quille "( "a s mal l s ea, inneran d qui e t"). It pr o v i ded access to, in  particular ,  Ma rseill an —af ishing  vill ag e  th at became a  tra de centre .

Lin k ed, now ,  by the  Canal  du  Rh ôneà  S èt e t ot her iv erR hôn e and by  t he  Cana l du M i d i to  Bo rdea ux vi a Toulouse, t helago o n a lso h as ac cess  t o the  Medit erran ea n at Sète. Ther e is  also a s mal lcan al  (lec anal d esAll emandsor thep iss e- s a u me ) that links the w es t e rn  end tothe se a  a tM arseilla nPla ge.T h is ca nali sonly sui tablef or  s mall cr af t sinc ebot h r oad a n d ra ilwaybridgesrestr i ct height.

To the east, bet w ee n Ba l aruc  an d Sète, the  bor d ersof t h elag o on ar e lar ge l yi ndustrial. The sout hbank i s for med by the co astal stri p f rom Sète  toC ap d'Agde. The no rther n side has villages  dedi cated to  fishinga n d the pr odu cti onofs h el lfish. Therea r e ha rb ours in  th e towns  of  Ma rse ill an , Mèze an d Bouzig ue s,  w it h s malle r  ports d ed ica te d t o she l lfishon th e no rt he r n s hore.
T he r e  issi gn ific ant  v ariat ioni n t he rain fall in t hec atch me nt  basinfor the lagoo n,  both seas on all y andb e tween ye ars. The annual precipi t ation c anrange  fro m 200 to1,0 00 mmper year.As a r esult ,the w atert e mp era tu re and sal i n ity  have  e xten sive ra nges. Water temper a tur e ranges from  3°C t o 29  °C ,  w i thsa l ini t i es of 27 psu to  40 psu. T he sa linity cha n ges  d uring t he year  with lows fr om Februa ry to Jun eandp e aks  in July t o Januar y.

Admin i strat i on 
Loca ted  betwe en  th e tow ns ofS ète  andMarsei ll an inthe H ér ault dép artement, the Étang deThau i s sha red  administ rat i vel y by thecomm unes of (r unn ing  cloc kwi s e): B alar u c- le- V ieux,  Bal a ruc-les-B a in s,F r on tignan, Sèt e , Mar seill an, Mèze,Loup ian and Bouzigues . 

Economy andnatu r a l r eso u rces 
A s the
omorphology of_the region:_it is the syncline_formed from_folding_which produced_the_corresponding anticline of_the Gardiole in_the north east.

Until relatively_recently the lagoons_from_Marseillan to the Rhône were a continuous stretch of inland waterway. Early settlers described_this_as "une_petite_mer_intérieure et tranquille" ("a small_sea, inner and quiet"). It_provided access_to, in particular, Marseillan—a fishing village that became_a_trade centre.

Linked, now,_by the Canal du Rhône à Sète to the_river Rhône and by the Canal_du Midi to_Bordeaux_via_Toulouse, the lagoon also_has access to the Mediterranean at_Sète. There is also a small_canal (le canal des Allemands or the_pisse-saume) that links the western end_to the sea at Marseillan_Plage. This_canal is only suitable for_small craft since_both road_and railway bridges_restrict height.

To the east, between Balaruc_and Sète, the_borders of the lagoon are largely_industrial._The south bank_is_formed_by the_coastal strip from_Sète_to Cap_d'Agde._The northern side has villages dedicated_to_fishing and the production of shellfish. There_are harbours in the_towns_of Marseillan, Mèze and_Bouzigues, with smaller ports dedicated_to shellfish on the northern shore.

There_is significant_variation in_the rainfall in the catchment basin for the lagoon, both seasonally_and between years. The annual precipitation_can range from 200_to 1,000 mm_per_year. As a_result,_the water_temperature and salinity have extensive ranges. Water_temperature ranges_from 3 °C to 29 °C, with salinities_of 27 psu to_40_psu. The salinity changes during the_year with lows from February to_June and peaks in July_to_January.

Administration
Located_between the towns of Sète_and Marseillan in the Hérault département,_the Étang de_Thau is shared administratively by the communes_of_(running clockwise): Balaruc-le-Vieux, Balaruc-les-Bains, Frontignan, Sète,_Marseillan,_Mèze, Loupian and Bouzigues.

Economy and natural_resources
As_the