A lagoon, two walking trails of different lengths and traces of village history give Saint-Nazaire many different facets. Which of them shape your stay also depends on when you travel: birdwatching, guided tours and the Fête de l’étang take place during specific periods.
The Lagoon and When to Visit
The Étang de Canet-Saint-Nazaire is part of the European Natura 2000 network. From February to May and from August to October, visitors can spot 246 different bird species there, including 200 migratory species. Species numbers may be updated by the site managers.
During the season, the intervention team of the Conservatoire du Littoral offers guided tours of the lagoon. If you are planning a tour, confirm before travelling that it is available on your dates. The Fête de l’étang takes place every year in June; the programme includes guided tours, conferences, exhibitions and workshops. Check the current programme for the year in question.
Two Walking Trails with Different Character
The Sentier Transhumance is a 5.8-kilometre circular trail starting in Saint-Nazaire. It is considered an easy family walk and leads to the lagoon shore, where pink flamingos rest. Its length and circular route make it a clearly defined option if you are looking for a shorter trail with a connection to the lagoon.
At 8.7 kilometres, the Sentier du terroir is longer and follows the RĂ©art River, between orchards and vineyards. The starting point is by an information sign opposite the town hall, at the entrance to the car park. Unlike the Transhumance circular trail, this route focuses on the landscapes along the river. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in what you see along the way.
The agricultural side is also part of Saint-Nazaire’s terroir: it includes hand-picked Roussillon apricots with AOC protection. This adds a regional product to the landscape connection of the Sentier du terroir, without implying a tasting or a visit to a producer.
Local History in Buildings and Waterways
The Chapelle de l’Arca was built around 1890 by the local population. It was intended to replace the church of a former village that had long since been abandoned. The municipality restored the chapel and turned it into a place of recreation. Its history thus differs from that of the parish church of Saint-Nazaire, which replaced the former Romanesque village church dating from the 12th century.
The parish church stands out for its river pebbles, which were used to build it, and its red brick decorations, typical of the late 19th century. A fountain was built on the foundations of the former signal tower, the Tour à signaux; remains of its walls can be seen behind it. These buildings provide tangible points of reference for the village’s history, without requiring a set visiting programme.
La Fossella and La Passa also tell the story of how the landscape was used in the past. La Fossella is a man-made diversion canal that supplied Saint-Nazaire with water and irrigated the farmland below the village. La Passa was the crossing used by lagoon fishermen to reach the land and the village’s original site.
Plan Your Visit and Getting Around
Sankéo line 22 serves Saint-Nazaire Monday to Saturday, with several journeys a day. On Sundays and public holidays, it runs by reservation. As timetables and operating arrangements may change, check the details before travelling. This will help you choose the right time to visit and plan your stay around the experiences that matter to you.
Discover more destinations: Corbère, Pas De La Casa, Font-Romeu-Odeillo-Via, Saleilles, Collioure, Angoustrine-Villeneuve-Des-Escaldes, Llupia, Saint-Cyprien-Plage.
For the broader travel overview: Pyrénées-Orientales.
