Anchorage

Etang Pierre Blanche

3.7FranceLanguedoc-Roussillon

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Shelter: NW, N, W
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Shallow lagoon anchorage west of Palavas-les-Flots in Languedoc, sand bottom, sheltered from NW, N and W winds.

Beach

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The lagoon connects to the sea through the Grau de Pierre Blanche. Depths drop below 1.5 m over much of the étang, so draughts above 1.2 m should not attempt entry. Fragile seagrass beds and flamingo feeding areas are marked by yellow buoys of the Conservatoire du littoral.

Practical

No services on the lagoon. Halte de Palavas-les-Flots at 3 NM NE and Port On Land at 3 NM NE offer water and electricity. Provisioning in Palavas-les-Flots town 3.5 km north by road.

Ashore

Réserve naturelle nationale de l'Estagnol and the wider Natura 2000 site of the Étangs palavasiens surround the anchorage. Observation hide on the north shore reached by the D185d road. Cathédrale de Maguelone, a Romanesque church built from the 11th century on its own islet, stands 2 km west of the étang.

Story

Greater flamingos and little egrets feed year-round on the étang, with counts above 2000 flamingos recorded in winter by the Tour du Valat research station.