The Languedoc Roussillon region covers the central area of southern France and comprises of 5 departments : Aude (11), Gard (30), Hérault (34), Lozère (48) & Pyrenées Orientales (66).
The Languedoc is not renowned for lakes due to its location and climate. However due to the Pyrenees mountains & Haut Languedoc hills that extend across the inland areas there are a good number of freshwater lakes to be found. The region is however famed for its salt water lakes and marais found all along the low lying coastal areas.
The Mediterranean coast of Languedoc is characterised by long sandy beaches and picturesque coves. The region is also famous for "Le Canal du Midi" which is the world famous canal and waterway, it starts in Agde (Hérault department, 34) and finishes at Carcassonne (Aude department, 11).
Notable salt water lakes in the low lying coastal areas include : Parc Naturel Régional de la Narbonnaise en Mediterranee (Etang de Canet Saint Nazaire, Etang de Leucate, La Berre, Etang de l' Ayrolle, Etang de Campignol, Etang de Gruissan, Etang de Grazel), Etang de Thau, Etang d'Ingril, Etang de Vic, Etang de Pierre Blanche, Etang des Moures, Etang de L'Armel, Etang du Prévost, Etang du M&eacjean, Etang de Pérols, Etang de l'Or, Etang du Ponant, Etang du M&edard and L'Etang et les Marais de Aigues-Mortes )
The Pyrenees mountains form a natural barrier between France and Spain and are located to the south of the region in the Pyrenees Orientales department. While the Haut languedoc, Cévennes & Grandes Causses straddle the northern borders of the region and form the lower reaches of the famous Massif Central.
The mountainous Pyrenees Orientales department is home to the Parc Naturel regional des Pyrenees Catalans and offers a number of notable lakes. In Pyrenees and it's foothills you find the following lakes : Retenue de Vinça, L'Agly, Lac de Puyvalador, Lac de matemale, Lac de Bouillouses (La Bollosa) & Étang du Lanoux (Estany de Lanós). The only notable lake close to the coast is Lac de Villeneuve de la Raho.
The Parc naturel régional du Haut Languedoc offers many lakes such as: Lac du Salagou which is surrounded by rocks, Lac de la Raviège, Lac de Laouzac, Lac de Vésoles and Lac d'Avène.
In the Aude, there is an abundance of smaller lakes along the flatter sections of the Aude river basin. Whilst the majority of the notable fresh water lakes are located in the higher inland areas of the department and the Parc naturel regional de Haut Languedoc. Notable fresh water lakes include : Lac de Jouarres, Lac de Laprade Basse, Lac de la Galube and Retenue de L'Estrade.
Notable fresh water lakes in the Herault & Gard departments include: Lac de Salagou, Étang de Vendres, Lac de Vezolles, L'Agout, la Peyne, L'Orb, Lac d'Avène, Étang du Charnier, Etang de Scamandre & Etang de la Capelle
Notable freshwater lakes in the Lozère and the Parc National de Cevennes include : Lac de Villefort, Etang de Barrandon, Lac de Charpal, Lac de Naussac, Lac du Moulinet and Lac de Ganivet.
Famous for its Mediterranean landscapes, coastline & climate, it is a region is popular with second home buyers and holiday makers alike.