All experiences - Page 2

Today I discover the atmosphere of the famous Monday of Saint Louis, the great celebration of the city of Sète. It's Monday! The last day of the feast of St. Louis, which began on Thursday. A full weekend for me. Between the various parades where all the districts are represented, the famous square ball tournament, the tribute to the railway workers and the concert at the Théâtre de la Mer. We end this party with the "heavy" category jousting tournament!We meet in the morning with our friends in the town hall square, or as the Sète people also call it "Place du Poufre "*. We're waiting for the famous macaroonade! Players and Sète eat this dish for occasions or on Sundays with the family, but especially before the Languedoc jousting tournaments. Tomato sauce, sausage, me...

There's nothing like the warmth of a tasty dish to cheer you up when the temperatures drop! Our local specialities, mostly based on fish and seafood, are ideal for indulging yourself while eating locally.  Cuttlefish rust  This is a speciality with a reputation that is well established! Melting pieces of cuttlefish, dipped in a simmering tomato sauce and bound with a delicious aioli... To be enjoyed with potatoes, rice or tagliatelle. A dish whose finesse and flavours will make you fall over, to be discovered in all the good restaurants of the Thau Archipelago.  Stuffed squid  Squid? What's that? They are in fact small squids whose tube (i.e. the body without the tentacles) measures between 8 and 14 centimetres.   Delicately stuffed with a mixture of sausage...

A stroll to the Sète covered market, one of the little pleasures that I offer myself in all simplicity during my stay in the Thau archipelago. All the flavours of the South The covered market of Sète is a paradise for epicureans. The stalls are full of local produce and mouth-watering specialities: sun-drenched fruit and vegetables, wines and cheeses of character, shellfish, fish and crustaceans, not forgetting the famous tielles, or the zézettes of Sète. When you're curious and greedy like me, you don't know what to think! After enjoying a cup of coffee and a few sweets, I begin my journey of the senses. I taste a delicious tapenade that will be ideal for an aperitif with friends, take advantage of the advice of a fishmonger to learn which wine will go best with the s...

We discovered Sète a few years ago during a romantic weekend. Today, we are introducing our daughter to this little piece of paradise. Today the sun is shining brightly. The ideal weather for a family day in Sète. First stop: the Museum of the sea, to help our daughter discover the history of the city, deeply linked to its maritime heritage.Then we take a walk on the docks. The façades are colourful, the water smells like iodized water, you'd think you were somewhere else, thousands of kilometres away from home.  We admire the trawlers, the boats with the charm of yesteryear, and we observe fish swimming in the canal. Impossible to resist all the restaurants with their lively terraces from which laughter escapes from all sides. The opportunity to taste a delicious cuttlefis...

Spring and fine weather make us want to have a picnic. Sète is full of places for a lunch on the grass (or the sand) in an enchanting setting! Follow our advice. View of the sea - The Saint Louis lighthouse, at the end of the breakwater, so as not to lose a crumb on the entrance to the port of Sète. Incredible view. - The Saint Pierre site, at the foot of the theatre of the sea. A vast balcony suspended above the sea. - You can overlook the sea from the Marchéchal Leclerc promenade, the starting point of the 12-kilometre-long greenway.  - The golden sandy beaches of Sète, for a break by the water, with your feet in the sand. Quite simply.In the city In the gardens of the Simone Veil Park, in the shade of the hundred-year-old trees. The lovers of public benches i...

In the Thau Archipelago, there are two ways to eat with your feet in the water: one, facing the lagoon, around a shellfish tasting, the other, facing the sea, in a straw hut. I've been told about both of these local experiences, and I wonder which I'll prefer... Act 1: Shellfish tasting in front of the lagoon Here I am! Here I am at last between Bouzigues and Loupian, the view is breathtaking: the glittering blue of the water and the oyster beds as far as the eye can see... I can even see Sète and its famous Mont Saint-Clair in the distance. Producers offering to taste mussels and oysters from the lagoon, that's not what is missing here! I choose a producer with a singing accent, whose place of production has been tastefully fitted out for tasting. I am warmly welcom...

Tribute to the missing sailors and fishermen. Discovering Sète's traditions To be sure, I decide to call someone when my eyes meet those of a lady of a certain age with a benevolent look. She tells me that today is St. Peter's Day, the patron saint of fishermen. The next stop of this great celebration takes place in the church of Saint Louis which, according to him, is worth a visit. I let myself be tempted.... Fervour and emotion At the end of this moving ceremony in honour of the missing fishermen and sailors, it seems to me that I have a better understanding of the identity of this city and its inhabitants. I am once again the procession that resumes its journey, as if hypnotized by all these traditional clothes and fervour. On the wise advice of the Sète pe...

Nearly 3000 tons of Mediterranean mussels are produced each year in the Thau lagoon. And here, cooking them is an art. Ready for a tasting? Discovery and delicacies While on a trip to Mèze, I wander around the city centre and discover the covered halls. The atmosphere is friendly, the merchants call each other from one stand to another, and offer passers-by to taste their products. After picking bits of melons and a few olives, I stop in front of a shellfish farmer's stall. He asked me to taste the mussel track. I, who only knew about marine mussels, am not being asked to do anything! These mussels, cooked, are marinated in olive oil and lemon and perfectly seasoned. A delight! Amused by my enthusiasm, the producer explains to me that nearly 3000 tons of Mediterranean ...

Between tasty local specialities and abundant cultural creation, Sète abounds in both cultural and gourmet treasures. Its historic centre, its port, the famous Cadre Royal, its beaches, the Mont Saint-Clair or the Pointe Courte district, there are so many things to discover... That's why we've put together a top 20 list of Sète's must-sees. With a little bonus! So, don't wait any longer to explore this "singular island" with its undeniable charm. The city centre  Between canals, quays and small squares, you will immediately be charmed by the city that is now known as the "Venice of Languedoc". Founded in 1666 by Louis XIV to give a maritime opening to the Canal du Midi, Sète reveals its history during a stroll through the historic centre, particularly along the Cadr...

From the foothills of the Gardiole to the shores of the Thau lagoon, here more than anywhere else the vineyards reflect their past. Sun-drenched clay-limestone soils, a combination of wind and a favourable micro-climate, this was all it took for the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans to invest in this terroir and plant vines here. Two millennia later, one of the oldest vineyards in France continues its wine odyssey. A long maturation Sète was still an uninhabited mountain when, in 1666, Louis XIV ordered the construction of a port to facilitate the export of wine throughout Europe. The area produced mainly white wine. Until then, vines had been confined to the plateaux, but they were soon planted on the plains and ended up producing high yields of poor quality wine: a red wave ...

With 25 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, you are bound to find the ideal beach for you in the Thau Archipelago! ACCESSIBLE  THE BEACH FOR ALL All the seaside towns in the Thau Archipelago have beaches with walkways and Tiralos® (wheelchairs available at the lifeguard posts) adapted for bathing for people with motor disabilities, but only the beach at Balaruc-les-Bains has the Audioplage® system, which allows people with visual impairments to swim freely, independently and in optimum safety conditions. Balaruc-les-Bains is also one of the few French towns to have been awarded the national Destination for All label, recognising the spa's commitment to overall accessibility for people with disabilities. FAMILY NEVER WITHOUT MY CLANS  There is no shortage of family be...

In search of meaning... Because you aspire to one thing only: freedom, the freedom to contemplate, the freedom to breathe as you please, to engage in activities rich in beautiful encounters. In Sète, wherever you are, the sweetness of life is in the pleasure of all these moments. Draw from its light, its smells, its flavours and the gossip of its inhabitants the creative energy that generates authenticity.  Between the sea, the lagoon and the garrigues, this town set on the water will only reveal itself if you agree to lose yourself in the time it takes to walk along the paths of Mount Saint-Clair or the Pointe courte, the time it takes to have an impromptu picnic after a two-wheeled ride around the lagoon or to contemplate the sunset from one of the many viewpoints off...

Explore Sète’s green lung on the western slope of Mont Saint-Clair with 27 hectares of pine forest and Mediterranean scrubland. Stroll along the paths and enjoy a unique view of Thau lagoon, the Lido and the Mediterranean in the background. On a clear day you can also see the Pyrénées mountains and Mont Canigou. Spectacular! New: Check out the mobile app for the Pierres Blanches forest trails. The app is easy to use. It’s easy and free to download and only takes a few seconds. The tour is narrated by two characters. Martin, a fine connoisseur of Sète, presents the historical aspects of the forest and its association with man. Aurélie, from the French National Forests Office (ONF), presents the botanical and natural aspects of the forest. They are your guides for t...

With 12 km of golden sand on a blue background and nearly 320 days of sunshine a year, the reputation of the beaches of Sète is well established. They are even one of the major assets of the Thau Archipelago as they offer holidaymakers the choice of enjoying a view of the Thau lagoon or the Mediterranean Sea. Not to mention that they are served all along by the greenway which links Sète to Marseillan over 12 km. So, don't wait any longer to put on your swimming costume and go to this charming town! The beaches of Sète For a moment of freshness during your holidays in Sète or, quite simply, to take advantage of the iodized air all year round, we suggest you go, by bike via the green way or by bus (line 9), to one of the numerous beaches, with the Blue Flag label, which ...

Having an aperitif on the terrace. What else but the symbol of the Mediterranean art of living? Are you looking for a place to enjoy a good drink on a terrace in the Thau Archipelago? Look no further, we have listed them for you!    In Sète  The Sky bar of the Imperial Hotel  Get ready to take to the skies, we're taking you to a rooftop!  The panoramic terrace of the cocktail bar at the Hôtel*** Impérial offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean Sea, the Etang de Thau and the Mont Saint-Clair, which you can admire from the comfort of a sofa or deckchair. On the agenda: a chic and relaxed atmosphere, with your head in the stars...  The little extra: during the day, in the shade of a parasol, you can also taste delicious ice creams. The bar - patio of t...

Take time to foray into Sète’s maritime heritage.   Enjoy the fresh air of the sea. You feel its presence as soon as you set foot in Sète. Start at the Royal canal. Surprise! Tuna boats and trawlers are moored right in the heart of the city, facing restaurants and 19th-century buildings! The image sums up the city perfectly. And one of the trawlers even welcomes visitors: the Louis Nocca. Your children will love the aquarium, the captain's cabin and visiting the engine room. Watch the action as you wander along Quai de la Consigne, with fishing boats going back and forth, colourful boats, the bustling fish auction and fishermen repairing their nets. Stroll along St Louis breakwater: Bring your trainers and climb the 126 steps up Saint Louis lighthouse. The view ove...

No matter which destination you have chosen for your holiday in the Thau archipelago, we invite you to take advantage of these few days to get away from it all and discover the 14 communes that make up our destination.  You can also find more information in our magazine.   Balaruc-le-Vieux Set on a hillock, the village dominates the creek of the corner with a view on the lagoon. A medieval village wrapped in its ramparts, which magnifies the past. We love to get lost in its narrow streets. Discover Balaruc-le-Vieux   Balaruc-les-Bains The first spa in France, Louis Bonaparte already came here for a cure in the 19th century! People come here to enjoy the benefits of its thermal waters, but also to stroll through the flowery alleys of the Mediterranean Ant...

What better way to discover all the secrets of Sète than to take a tour with one of our guides? Whether you want to know everything about the life of Georges Brassens, the Molière theatre or the amazing street-art that covers the walls of the surprising MaCO, explore the port city every school holiday. Discover all the guided walking tours offered by the Office de Tourisme Archipel de Thau. SÈTE HISTOIRE-LÀ  For history lovers, we suggest you start your stay with the "Sète Histoire-Là" guided tour. Meet your guide every Tuesday during the school holidays on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville to escape for about two hours. You will go back to the time of the creation of the port, through the upper quarter, before taking your way back to the marine cemetery and going back ...

Do you dream of calm and nature? Escape? So cheer up, flee the city, towards the Thau Archipelago!  In this sumptuous setting, time stretches indefinitely, the time is at hand.... Spending a day in Thau means relaxing in a green and blue garden, between the sea, lagoons and the scrubland. On foot, by bike or even in a bathing suit, it is time for idleness, simple pleasures, romantic picnics at sunset... In a word as in a hundred, it is high time to let yourself live and take the time...

What better way to (re)discover the Thau Archipelago, its towns and monuments through a treasure hunt during your family holiday? This is the experience you can have in Sète, Villeveyrac, Frontignan-Plage or Balaruc-les-Bains. Don't wait any longer!   Barberoussette: the treasure hunt for young and old (Sète) According to legend, the famous pirate Barberoussette was active in the maritime city at the end of the 16th century and hid his treasure there. Even today, many adventurers have tried to find it... Without success! Fortunately for you, the pirate left several pieces of the map that allow you to find his riches in Sète. But before you can hope to find them all, you will have to solve several riddles related to the monuments and history of Sète. Go to the tour...