All experiences
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 "macaronade"! Players and Sète eat this dish for occasions or on Sundays with the family, but especially before the Languedoc jousting tournaments.
Tomato sauce, sausage, ...
Kayak through our territory!
Discover the fauna and flora, come and taste the oysters from the Thau lagoon or simply rent a kayak and go on an adventure in complete autonomy. From Marseillan to Frontignan via Sète, Mèze and Balaruc-Les-Bains, sail towards an exceptional nautical adventure.
Go on an expedition, between sea and pond!
On holiday, it's not always easy to please everyone! However, the Thau Archipelago offers a lot of good addresses and great escapades to make up memorable days, with young and old alike. Follow the guide!
Dinosaur Park Museum
Ready for a trip back in time? Head to Mont-Mèze for a visit to Europe's largest museum park dedicated to dinosaurs and prehistory. In this large wooded park, located in the heart of an exceptional palaeontological site, your children will shiver with pleasure! Life-size reproductions of dinosaurs, fossils, educational films... All the elements are there to learn and be amazed. Your visit continues in a second part of the park, dedicated to Man and his evolution, which will undoubtedly delight the older children.
A booklet is given to ch...
Do you prefer the sea, canals or lagoon? Catamaran or sailboat? In the Archipelago of Thau, you have the choice!
Take advantage of the mild autumn weather to discover the area by water, accompanied by sailing enthusiasts.
At sea with the Voiles Auriques association
Embark on an outing on an old sailing ship and treat yourself to an authentic and relaxing moment. Sailing, introduction to traditional sailing, swimming, diving... Compose your own programme (half a day or a day) and create memorable souvenirs, as a couple or with friends.
By reservation only. On the lagoon with the Mansathau
Accompanied by a former oyster farmer, board a catamaran and enjoy a guided tour during which you will discover all the secrets of the cultivation of the famous oysters of ...
Would you like to discover one of the most beautiful Cistercian abbeys in France in an original way and at the same time live a unique experience? Head to the charming village of Villeveyrac to visit Valmagne Abbey.
A little history
Founded in 1139, this historic monument is one of the best preserved examples of Cistercian art, with its 29-metre-high central nave, its 9 chapels, its Romanesque cloister, its fountain and its medieval garden...
But its particularity lies in its cellar and in its 35 hectares which are among the oldest vineyards of Languedoc. We won't tell you any more and we'll let you discover the secrets of this pure Cistercian jewel through its treasure hunt.
The lost treasure of the colours of Valmagne
A bag full of surprising objects and...
Today, I'm off to the Bagnas reserve with my little family for a break in the middle of nature!
Among the guided tours offered by the Reserve House, we have opted for bird watching at sunset.
We are warmly welcomed by a passionate and exciting guide, who is very educational with children. It's not a bad start! He provides us with binoculars and long sights, allowing us to see wonderful birds (egrets, herons, and flamingos) in great detail, all in a peaceful and green setting!This excursion was also an opportunity to discover more surprising animals, such as turtles, but also many plant species. To our great surprise, our teenagers had a great time, and took advantage of it to take beautiful pictures that will allow us to remember this precious moment when we are four back ...
See you in 2024 to vibrate to the same rhythm in the Thau Archipelago! On the programme of this top (non-exhaustive) list of festivals: music, art, good local produce, a little reading and poetry...
K-Live (early June)
Each year, by leaving their mark on the walls of the city, they enrich the Musée à Ciel Ouvert (MACO) in Sète, which offers an artistic and picturesque stroll all year round, dotted with mural works. But the highlight of the K-Live Festival remains the beginning of June, when urban arts, visual arts and contemporary music concerts converge in the streets of the city centre and in the famous Théâtre de la mer.
When I think of Fernande (end of June)
When you think of Fernande, you actually think of the most gently impertinent festival in Sète. A real n...
Summer vacation with friends is clearly the best time of the year. No schedules, no strings attached, just cool sharing time.
When I booked the summer holidays for our group of friends, I already had a few criteria in mind, set during our last evenings: a trip that didn't make us waste too much time, a festival with a good program, the beach to recover from our evenings. And I had the perfect plan: the Thau archipelago.
After a few hours on the train, we disembark in Sète and put down our stuff. Just enough time to change our clothes, and here we go for an afternoon on the beach, which will finally turn into an aperitif in a straw hut.
After a short stop in our rental for a small shower, direction the city center and its lively terraces to eat a bite to eat. We find ours...
For a prestigious and luxurious stay, the Archipelago of Thau is the place to go for your next holiday. Here, you can expect a thousand and one top-of-the-range experiences in beautiful accommodation, restaurants....
The Miramar villa
Facing the Mediterranean, with its back to the Thau basin, this is the setting that awaits you at the Villa Miramar!
Located in Frontignan, this exceptional guest house, with its 5 "épis" rating from the Gîtes de France, offers four rooms and an unusual cabin, all of which open onto the sea, as well as numerous services and facilities that will make your prestigious stay unforgettable.
You can, for example, take advantage of the 17-metre long heated infinity pool to take a dip before enjoying your cocktail on the immersed terrace, o...
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...
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 trip to the edge of the desert, or more precisely to the Gardiole massif and the edge of the Thau lagoon... This is the experience you can enjoy during your holidays in the Archipelago with the Dromasud farm in Frontignan!
On the back of a dromedary
Accompanied by your child or alone on your saddle, your eyes lost on the sea, the Aresquiers wood, the salt marshes, the ponds and the famous Muscat vineyards, you are about to experience an unusual moment on the back of a camel in the company of Cécile.
During 1 hour (ride) or 2h30 (course), you will walk through the Gardiole massif and will be rocked by Cécile's passion for dromedaries as well as her love for the region that she has been walking since 2010, when she created the Dromasud association with Coralie....
The Thau Archipelago is full of footpaths and hiking routes along which you can discover or rediscover the natural riches of the area.
Between vineyards and ponds, pine forests and the sea, a whole range of smells and colours are available to you during an outing in the fresh air.
Walking tours
There are many walks available from the various communes.
Here are three ideas for walks to recharge your batteries close to home:
The Capitelles trail - Poussan
Duration: 1h45 to 2h - Distance 5 km - Difficulty: Easy
This pleasant walk in the Moure massif takes you on a journey back in time. Discover the "capitelles", the dry stone buildings that have served as shelters for farmers over the centuries. Perfectly renovated, they will punctuate your walk through the surroundi...
A donkey ride to the Saint-Félix de Montceau abbey? It is possible with the association Beau Nez d'Âne in Gigean. Whether you want to offer a unique souvenir to your child(ren) or have a donkey as a hiking companion, Mireille and Christian will be happy to share their passion with you and recommend the best routes. Are you ready? Saddle up!
On the back of a donkey
As soon as you arrive at the Beau Nez d'Âne association in Gigean, you will be greeted by Eliot, the donkey of the group. César and Rosalie will also be eager to come and see you to get their share of scratches.
But beware, because the whole troupe will soon be asking for their due: Nanette, Fanny, Zébulon, Mély and her mother Lolita, Carolin, sweet Manon, mischievous Malicia, Paprika and Margo...
I wanted to do a different kind of water activity,
something out of the ordinary.
Why not a "paddle muscat" outing in Frontignan?
I'll jump at the chance and call the Tiki Center. I'm told that there's room for July 19th and that I have to pay for my paddle reservation at the tourist office shop. That's perfect. At 7pm, I meet a group of 12 people on the parking lot of the Frontignan-Plage windsurfers' roundabout.
After a quick lesson on dry land and an awareness of the fragility of the seabed, we can sail. So we set off for an hour and a half of paddle on the Ingril pond. We sail calmly towards the canal from the Rhône to Sète, but I still find it difficult to stand upright all the time... It's not easy to balance on these boards! On the other hand on my knees, it's muc...
We've always dreamed about it, so this year we're going for it! Departure for an initiation to scuba diving
on the plateau des Aresquiers.
On this sunny Wednesday in July, we have an appointment in the early afternoon at the diving center located on the east bank of the port of Frontignan. We are greeted by Pierre and Stéphanie, who will be our instructors for this first scuba dive at a depth of 6 meters.
Although very enthusiastic about the idea of discovering the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea, I must admit that I am a little stressed. But the team of instructors quickly puts me at ease and I listen carefully to the safety instructions.
We start by putting on the diving suits provided by the club: neoprene suit, stabilizer vest, mask, fins, tanks and diving...
This summer, it's decided, I'm opting for an eco-responsible holiday! I rent a bike in Sète, and I'm going on a mop, discovering the diversity of the landscapes of the Thau Archipelago.
Heading for the Gardiole
The Gardiole massif is a beautiful playground for thrill-seekers. If, like me, you are a seasoned sportsman, don't hesitate to go there, preferably in the early morning to avoid the heat. Take advantage of your outing in the garrigue to admire the exceptional view that the massif offers you over the lagoon and the Thau archipelago, a great reward after the effort!
As a parent, the choice of your holiday destination is crucial! Are you a fan of outdoor leisure activities, or do you prefer cultural outings? In the Thau Archipelago, believe me, there is everything you need!
Enjoy the great outdoors
If, like my children and me, you like walking in the great outdoors and outdoor leisure activities, there are many choices available to you. To name just a few: a donkey ride in Gigean (with good walking shoes), a trip into prehistory at the Museum-Dinosaur Park in Mèze, or a visit to the zoo farm in Bouzigues.
During the summer period, do not hesitate to take part in the walks and activities organised by the CPIE du bassin de Thau, the whole family will enjoye them! On the program: discovery of the most typical places of the area, meeting with ...
In Sète, there are the beaches of Paul Valéry,
Georges Brassens...
but there's also a life after the beach
A life of hut, on Mont Saint-Clair. A cultural life, with the Chapelle du Quartier Haut, the MIAM or the Espace Brassens. A lively culture also, from the Pointe-Courte fishermen's quarter to the Halles centrales, where you can taste tielles and shellfish, without forgetting the daily ball of the trawlers returning to the port.
A nocturnal culture too, with the fairy tale of the canals at night or the Théâtre de la Mer and its magical scene. More than a view, a vision....
If you would like to immerse yourself in the traditions and culture of the Thau Archipelago, we look forward to seeing you in 2024 to experience or relive the highlights of our Destination, whatever your desires: gastronomy, history, jousting...
The Oursinade (mid-March)
Every year in Sète, the Oursinade, a large open-air guinguette, attracts visitors who come to taste the best that the Thau Basin has to offer: sea urchins, but also oysters, mussels, tielles and other gastronomic and wine-making delights of the region.
Time in the lagoon (mid-May to mid-June)
This is a new event during which artists, scientists, shellfish farmers, fishermen, wine growers and inhabitants share their views on the Thau lagoon. Meetings, debates, shows and workshops will give pride of place to ...
All the experiences to live for an unforgettable stay!
Explore the lagoon by kite-surfing, admire it from a restaurant in front of a shellfish tray, before leaving it for a walk or a concert by the sea... Tempting, isn't it?
Explore our site to discover all the experiences to be lived in the Thau Archipelago!