Our Location

May 23, from Sète to Portiranges (Canal du Midi)

	While the water in Sète has many qualities it also has an incredible number of jellyfish! But that wasn't the reason we decided to leave on the 23rd. The weather was beautiful, no wind and so a perfect day for an early crossing of the Etang the Thau.
	As the bridge opens at 9am, no 9:30, no 10am (I guess that is French time for 9) we start our engine and prepare for the crossing.
	Hard to believe that only two days earlier wind and whitecaps had made it impossible to cross the Etang. The Etang the Thau is a salt-water lagoon accessible from the sea in several places. It is about 20 km long and about 6 km wide. It hosts Frances most important Oyster cultures, the Oysters of Bouzigues are the most famous.
	A fisherman with Oyster beds in the background
	The lighthouse marking the entrance to the Canal du Midi.
	The entrance to the Canal du Midi or as originally named the `Canal Royal des Deux Mers' connecting the Mediterranean Sea with Atlantic Ocean. The original plans were drafted by Paul Riquet in 1666.
	A typical bridge crossing the Canal du Midi, lined with trees for shade on both sides.
	Approaching the round lock of Agde.
	The round lock of Agde. The double doors leading to the Canal du Midi are especially interesting. As the notion of `up-river' changes depending of the water level of the Herault. For that reason you see doors opening towards the inside, if the Herault water level is higher than the level of the Canal du Midi, and doors opening towards the outside, if the water level of the Canal du Midi is higher than that of the Herault.