Walk: The Salt-Marshes (Les Salins)

Duration: 5 h30 Distance: 18 km Signpost: yellow stripe

Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone (Hérault)

An adventure through a wild bird reserve, between fresh water pools, lagoons and salt-meadows awaits you! At the station continue on the cycle track, then take the route to the village church.

Follow banks of Arnel and Vic lagoons, then cross the old salt pans, still worked in the 1970s.

The salt marshes of Villeneuve form part of the Languedoc coastline and were used to produce salt from Roman times. At the centre, is the old Roman road (Via Domitia) that cuts through France from the Rhone to the Pyrenees.

 If you’ve time to spare, take a detour to the old Romanesque cathedral of Saint-Pierre de Maguelone. The huge building dominates a landscape of blue lagoons, sea and vineyards. Check it out: a milestone from the Via Domitia used as a lintel!

See on the way :

• The church of Saint-Etienne (XII, XII et XVth centuries)
• The Estagnol Bird Reserve
• The Romanesque cathédrale of Saint-Pierre de Maguelone

Find this route in the Topo-Guide FFWalks " Herault…on foot" (PR® n°39)

Order the free randofiche "The Salt Marshes" at the Tourism Service, Villeneuve les Maguelone
Tel: +33 (0)4.67.69.75.87 www.ville-villeneuve-les-maguelone.fr (in French)