Land and sea in Bouzigues

This route through the heathland and along the Étang de Thau offers two different landscapes. Along the lake, you can stop for refreshments at a café or taste oysters at one of the many oyster farms, which serve orders at any time of day.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.53 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 116 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 109 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 67 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m

Description of the walk

When you are on the D613, heading towards Mèze, turn right atthe first roundabout onto Chemin de la Clavade. The car park is about 200 metres further on.

(S/E) Start the circuit by going up the track for about 600 m until you reach a fork.

(1) Leave the return path on your left and turn right onto small paths, passing under a power line. After the left-hand bend, turn right at the crossroads and continue until you reach another crossroads.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right onto a slightly sloping path that leads to a quarry.

(3) Go around the quarry on the right and descend to get closer to the departmental road via Chemin du Clap.

(4) Keep right without crossing to reach the underpass beneath the D613.

(5) Go through it and continue on Chemin des Aiguilles until you reach the intersection before a tunnel.

(6) Turn left for about 100 m to join the cycle path (former railway line).

(7) Take the cycle path to the next fork.

(8) Turn right to follow the Étang de Thau. After a wild stretch, pass the port and the seafront with its restaurants along Avenue Tudesq. Reach the crossroads near the small beach of Trémie.

(9) Continue along Avenue Tudesq, leaving the seafront, and walk on the pavement until you reach the junction before the D613 roundabout.

(10) Turn left onto the road (Chemin de la Catonnière). After about 150 m, turn left then right to follow the oyster farm (see Practical Information). Continue along the road then turn right towards the road to pass under the motorway and reach the roundabout.

(11) Ignore the D158 towards Loupian, cross and stay on the left-hand side of the road. Leave the Loupian area on your right and walk through the grass until you reach a white path.

(12) Follow this white path to the left for about 200 m to start climbing towards a wooded area. Turn right at a 90° angle and continue for several hundred metres to reach a fork.

(13) Turn left onto the track and join a road.

(14) Turn left for 100 m and take the path on the right. Continue straight ahead until you reach a track, turn right and you will come to a road. Turn right and follow the road until you reach a 90° right-hand bend.

(15) Turn left onto a small path that crosses a wooded area. At the fork, keep left. After about 500 m, the path joins the main track you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right and follow it straight ahead to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 35 m - Chemin de la Clavade
  2. 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 60 m - Crossroads on the way there and back
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 64 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 3.01 - alt. 54 m - The quarry
  5. 4 : km 4.15 - alt. 34 m - There is a fork in the road near the D613
  6. 5 : km 4.34 - alt. 17 m - Underground passage
  7. 6 : km 4.76 - alt. 8 m - Fork in the road
  8. 7 : km 4.91 - alt. 15 m - Cycle path
  9. 8 : km 5.77 - alt. 5 m - Fork in the road. Near the confluence of the - Vène (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 8.17 - alt. 1 m - Sidewalk on Avenue Louis Tudesq
  11. 10 : km 8.69 - alt. 10 m - Fork in the road before the roundabout
  12. 11 : km 10.46 - alt. 16 m - Roundabout
  13. 12 : km 10.7 - alt. 21 m - Chemin Blanc
  14. 13 : km 11.48 - alt. 49 m - Fork in the road
  15. 14 : km 12.12 - alt. 35 m - Road junction
  16. 15 : km 12.95 - alt. 39 m - Fork in the road on a small path
  17. S/E : km 14.53 - alt. 35 m - Chemin de la Clavade

Notes

(8) Picnic tables.
There are toilets near the harbour master's office.

After the (10), along the Étang de Thau, you can buy oysters and enjoy them on the pontoons, or have lunch at one of the various producers.

Alternative
Tried and tested option: leave at 10 a.m., do the circuit in reverse and arrive around 11.30 a.m. near the oyster producers. Order and sit down for an appetiser of oysters with a small glass of white wine (e.g. O' Claires) then continue the hike towards Bouzigues where there are several places to picnic. In this direction, at the beginning of the beach, there are four benches, and further on towards the harbour master's office.

Worth a visit

Viewpoints at the following locations (3).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 34 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
meringue34
meringue34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with beautiful views of the Thau lagoon. A must-do!
A GPS is essential in the heath.
We didn't use the map or the description.
Thank you for this route.

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that begins with stunning views of the Thau lagoon, Sète, etc., and continues through Bouzigues and along the edge of the lagoon. There are numerous restaurants and bars where you can sample oysters.
There is a bit of tarmac, but what else can you do? A very pleasant walk that is a must if you are in the area.
PP and MM

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gpsb
gpsb

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 01/05/2025 in beautiful weather.
A beautiful and varied hike through heathland, very pleasant by the sea, returning via a magnificent little lake that you don't expect to find.
The panoramic views are beautiful. This route is typical of this area between heathland and ponds.
The small tasting/eating areas run by local producers are authentic.
On the downside, the route between the start and the entrance to Bouzigues is completely unmarked, so a GPS is essential to avoid getting lost on the small paths.
The GPS track is excellent, but perhaps a waypoint or two could be added to this route.
I don't regret this trip! Thank you for suggesting it.

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lesvegas
lesvegas

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike starting at the edge of the lake in Bouzigues.
No difficulty, but a GPS is essential.
And it's an opportunity to follow up with some oyster tasting.
thank you

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berbag
berbag

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route tracked on my phone's GPS, didn't look for the description. Easy to follow thanks to the GPS, but I don't know about the description. Nice route.

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7oise
7oise

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

please note that this is private property, so unauthorised access is prohibited. Hunters have right of way, so there is a potential danger during hunting season
very beautiful view and the walk along the pond was very relaxing, especially in sunny weather.
the turquoise blue lake was magnificent.
the route description could have been more precise, especially between points 2 and 3, forcing us to use GPS to find our bearings and locate cairns at certain intersections.
at point 11, given the speed of the vehicles, it is safer to walk on the Loupian car park, then carefully cross the slip road off the main road and climb the small hill along the slip road to avoid walking on the dangerous, non-existent hard shoulder.

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34070GG
34070GG

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a pleasant hike between heathland and a lake, but best avoided if it has rained the day before, as some sections remain wet and are difficult to navigate.
The descent to the lake at point 14 is difficult and requires caution; walking sticks may be useful.
Walking along the lake is very pleasant, and you can stop for lunch and even buy some oysters to enjoy in the evening, as the shops are open non-stop.

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7oise
7oise

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful view and the walk along the pond was very relaxing, especially in the sunshine.
the turquoise blue lake was magnificent.
the route descriptions could have been more precise, especially between points 2 and 3, which forced us to use GPS to find our way and locate cairns at certain intersections.
at point 11, given the speed of the vehicles, it is safer to walk on the Loupian car park, then carefully cross the slip road off the main road and climb the small hill along the slip road to avoid walking on the dangerous, non-existent hard shoulder.

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Pierre Lassalle
Pierre Lassalle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike that allows you to discover the surroundings of Bouzigues, the first part in the heath and then along the Thau lagoon. It was a real discovery for us, as we live in MÈZE. A lovely walk through the pine woods..

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fredeval
fredeval
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, with a wild first section across red earth and a quarry, followed by a section along the lake with a welcome stop at the port of Bouzigues to share a picnic with views of the lake, Sète and Mont Saint-Clair. The route then continues along the beaches, then the oyster farm and finally back into the heath.
As there are no signposts, it is important to read the instructions carefully and check the route on the map regularly to avoid getting lost. There are many points where you may wonder if you are on the right track: 1, between 2 and 3, 11 (do not cross the entire park, take the road on the right that leads to the roundabout; if you go a little too far, you can still go back up to the roundabout at 11) and 15, take the left path for the return, as there is some confusion here)

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pascal.forbin
pascal.forbin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike is especially enjoyable if, between the two long stretches of nature, you take advantage of the good weather to sample some oysters!

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Xavier.de.pézenas
Xavier.de.pézenas

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely way to explore the Bouzigue area, with some beautiful stretches and others that are a little disappointing, but overall a great walk. Be sure to use the app's GPS or you'll definitely get lost.

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jocy
jocy

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with varied landscapes, nature, sea and lakes.
Having a GPS is helpful as there are sometimes no signs, especially around Lake Loupian.
The walk through the port of Bouzigues is splendid, even in grey weather like yesterday, and seeing the oyster farmers is enjoyable and gives you a better understanding of their work.
I recommend this hike in winter because it's a great way to discover the area.

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athmos.oner
athmos.oner

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Easy hike starting and ending in a quiet area (despite the hunters) on a path, but noisier further on due to roads and ponds.
There is a short dangerous section after a roundabout where you really need to walk as close to the side as possible (exit from a motorway, cars come very fast).
The lake is a lovely surprise, but the rest is fairly flat in every sense of the word.
The oyster farmers and the unique atmosphere are the highlights.

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caroline34830
caroline34830

Hello,
I did this hike again in December 2023, no comments.

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