LANGUEDOC - Living in France
CLERMONT L’HERAULT
Clermont l’Herault is a busy town, found just south of the Larzac, and the center of the local trade in table grapes, and fruit juices. It has one of the only two remaining olive oil refineries in the region. There is a large market here on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and numerous craft fairs are held here throughout the summer. It is a popular resting place for tourists coming from the North, it being a convenient stop when traveling down the A75 Autoroute, which comes to an end temporarily, just outside the town. The center of the town is very lively and has many restaurants, shops and bars.
Lac du SALAGOU

About 5km north of Clermont l'Herault is the lake of Salagou. The lake was constructed between 1968 and 1970 to control the flow of the river that previously had caused severe problems with flooding. It allows for the irrigation of the vines adjacent to the lake and allows leisure activities such as sailing and windsurfing. The creation of a camping site has also increased the amount of tourism in the area.
Lac du Salagou
The lake is used by the fire fighting planes- The Canadairs - to replenish their tanks, by scooping up water, in their continual fight against summer fires. The perimeter of the lake is interesting for its rock formations and what appears to be lava flows. It is possible to get close to the lake shore at various points. There is a large beach and car park adjacent to the camp site, and small yachting marina, on the Clermont side of the lake.
A Canadair scooping up water