Vue sur l'étang de Montady

This is a Mediterranean lagoon that was drained by a drainage system in the Middle Ages. The lake was drained by radial or star-shaped drainage ditches, all of which lead to a central circular distribution ditch. The water was drained from there. The star-shaped canals look extremely impressive to this day.

Nice view of this atypical and ingenious culture.

Thanks to drainage canals, the water is led to a central collector, which explains the star-shaped arrangement of the fields and vineyards. This canal system dates back to the 13th century. The water is then evacuated through a ditch on a slope towards the Capestang pond and through a gallery under the Ensérune hill and under the Malpas tunnel.

Heavy rains like the end of October 2019 can cause it to reappear.

The pond is visible from the Montady tower, a vestige of the old 12th century castle, and from the top of the Ensérune oppidum hill.