Best Anchorages in Languedoc-Roussillon

The Étang de Thau is the largest coastal lagoon in France — 20km long, protected from the Gulf of Lion by a narrow strip of sand, and home to France's most famous oyster and mussel farming industry (the Bouzigues oysters are celebrated throughout France).

Cap d'Agde is a distinctive basalt volcanic headland (one of the few natural rocky features on the otherwise flat Languedoc coast) providing good Tramontane shelter for an anchorage on its E side.

Gruissan is one of the most authentic towns on the Languedoc coast — a circular medieval village built around the ruins of a Barbarossa tower, reflected in the surrounding salt lagoon.

Port-la-Nouvelle is a commercial port primarily serving the petrochemical industry — not a scenic destination, but a practical transit anchorage and emergency shelter on the flat Languedoc coast between Gruissan and Port-Leucate.

Port-Vendres is the last significant harbour before the Spanish border — a genuine working fishing port (unlike the purpose-built resort marinas of the Languedoc) with a proper fish market, excellent anchovies (the famous Collioure anchovy fishing industry), and good provisioning.

The Étang de Leucate (Lake Leucate) is a large coastal lagoon between the Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales departments, entered via Port-Leucate at the S end.