Étang de Montady

The Etang de Montady is drained by a drainage system in the Middle Ages Mediterranean lagoon between the communities and Montady Colombiers in Canton Cape Stang, about 10 km west of the town of Béziers in the Hérault département.

The originally used for salt extraction Flachsee part of a whole system of shallow lagoons in the area of Herault. Since the surrounding the Etang de Montady large swampy area a hotbed of many insects was probably that were viewed as a source or vectors of many epidemics, the Archbishop of Narbonne allowed the four property owners in a letter dated February 13, 1247, to dry up the lake and its surroundings. He allowed them to direct the water into the Etang de Thau Cape Stang and the Poilhes that were in his possession. Between 1250 and 1270 radial drainage ditches were constructed for the purpose of monks at a local monastery, all converge on a central ring distribution at the lowest point in the middle of the Etang de Montady. The water was passed from there through a channel in the stream of Clavilonge, which flows into the Etang de Cape Stang. The star- shaped channels is one of today's widely striking geometric plot structure of about 2.5 km in diameter in the field mark that is sometimes jokingly known as "Le Gateau du Roi " ( the King's cake ) because of their shape similarity revealed.

As between the two ponds is the 120 meters towering over the surrounding hills of Ensérune, also specifically a 1300 m long and up to 30 m deep extending underground tunnel had to be dug with the simplest of tools through the hills. In the hills of Ensérune today intersect at various levels even three tunnels: the drainage channel at the lowest level, which is to 1679-80 created by Pierre -Paul Riquet for the construction of the Canal du Midi tunnel of Malpas (at this first channel tunnel in the world Riquet have been inspired by the medieval tunnels) and a scale in the 19th century tunnels of the railway line Beziers - Narbonne.

By draining the Etang de Montady approximately 425 ha arose in the fertile silt deposits excellent for grain cultivation and white wine grapes suitable land. The medieval drainage system is operational to this day. The drainage system is, however, now used for irrigation, the water this is the Canal du Midi removed. When around 1870 the dished introduced from North America in the French wine grape phylloxera particularly devastating damage planted with vines plots of the star were briefly placed under water again, bringing a local success against the insect pest.

On the hill of Ensérune was once the oppidum Ensérune, one founded in the 6th century BC Iberian- Greek settlement, are obtained from the residues. From there, the star of the Etang de Montady is particularly good to see.

By decree of 26 July 1974, the Etang de Montady the Hérault, the "Site pittoresque " was placed under protection.