The canal is gone; the day now belongs to salt. From Agde, the route runs east through lagoons, small harbours and flat coastal ground. After Marseillan, the Étang de Thau opens wide, then Sète appears with Mont Saint-Clair behind it and water on nearly every side. Beyond Frontignan, the riding becomes straighter: cycle paths, salt pans, Palavas, Carnon, La Grande-Motte. At Aigues-Mortes, medieval walls rise out of the marshland. Then the Camargue takes over: rice fields, horses, canals, maybe flamingos. Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer finishes the day white, windy and close to the sea.
