People often refer to the Côte du Midi as a mosaic of landscapes... In fact, the parallel with Narbonne's prestigious ancient past is quite amusing! To be sure, this particular mosaic comprises sandy beaches, lagoons and salt flats, a wine-growing plain through which the river Aude meanders, and three century-old canals, not forgetting the magnificent massifs covered with garrigue, pine trees, vineyards and olive trees...
This diversity of landscapes also makes for an equally exceptional biodiversity, preserved for the past 10 years by the Narbonne Regional Natural Park. Today, more than half of the Park is listed as "Natura 2000", and there are 350 species of birds among the 514 listed in France. Bird lovers will want to reach for their binoculars!
Imagine what it would be like to be a bird flying over the Côte du Midi... you would see a unique string of lagoons, with no less than eight "étangs", or large ponds. Like the many birds that inhabit these areas, you too can enjoy them with a wide range of water activities.
These shallow coastal lagoons, also called "étangs" in French, are connected to the sea by a "grau" (a natural channel) that allows fish to come and go. With their changing colours depending on the season and the weather, these magnificent natural spaces make our destination truly unique. They inspire artists and photographers, nature lovers... and birds from all over Europe! Here, you will discover biodiversity in all its splendour.
The Côte du Midi is bordered by 40 kilometres of long sandy beaches, as well as a string of ponds, marshes and salt flats that effectively regulate these natural spaces. Many beaches are still wild today, making them a paradise for animals and kiteboarders alike.
Make your way along the canal du Midi tow-path and cross the wine villages of the Minervois... As well as the many vineyards, the landscape is also home to olive trees and garrigue. Wander down the paths that criss-cross the villages...
The three massifs that shape the Côte du Midi are remarkable natural spaces whether for their geology, fauna or flora. It is hardly surprising that they are "listed sites" benefiting from protective measures such as those afforded by Natura 2000 and the Regional Natural Park...
Certain massifs may be off limits during the mid-June to mid-September period, so by all means consult this link first or this one (only in french)!
The Fontfroide, La Clape and Sainte Lucie massifs reopened to the public on 20/09!
This massif runs along the entire coast from Gruissan to Saint-Pierre-la-Mer. You will cross it when you go from Narbonne to Narbonne-Plage.
Very few paths allow access to this truly wild massif, where the maritime pine reigns supreme.
The Corbières Maritimes area benefits from the coolness and moisture of the coast and the wind... This is ideal for vines which, as a result, require hardly any treatment.
