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From Gruissan, we drive to the Mandirac lock to avoid the D32, which connects Gruissan to Narbonne and is very busy. Parking is available next to the lock.
(S/E) From the Mandirac lock, we take the path along the Robine canal.
(1) We pass the Petit Tournebelle estate (lodge). The strip of land narrows between the Campignol and Bages lakes, but it is further on, towards the Ayrolle lake, that the passage is narrowest. We share this space with the railway line.
(2) We pass the Ardillon roadmender's house (in ruins). A bend in the road brings us within sight of Île Sainte-Lucie. We continue to the beginning of the island, opposite the buildings that are now used as a ship restoration yard.
(3) We now walk along the island and a final bend brings us within sight of the lock keeper's house and the Sainte-Lucie lock.
(4) We leave the path leading to the beach on our left (that will be for later), continue south-west, pass a water point and reach the Sainte-Lucie Lock.
(5) We turn right and go through the lock gates to visit the island (nature reserve). We turn left to begin our visit to the Sainte-Lucie Island nature reserve, opting for the short route (3 km).
(6) At the old Jules salt marshes, we turn right and return to the lock.
(5) We turn left and find the path that leads to the beach.
(4) We turn right and head to the water's edge for a swim at Plage de la Vieille Nouvelle.
(7) From the beach, we rejoin the path to retrace our steps back to the car park (S/E).
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