All experiences

Between the sky and the water, protected treasures By Julia Laffaille A veritable patchwork of landscapes, the Thau Archipelago, nestled between the Mediterranean and the wide open spaces of the garrigue, is a small preserved paradise. This territory has always been a promise of travel and of a still wild nature just a stone's throw from the beautiful Occitan villages. So, I went back to explore these sunny landscapes to discover all these protected natural treasures. By the sea, a stone's throw from the blue waves Here, the inhabitants live alongside this idyllic setting on a daily basis and water is certainly a character in its own right. Lagoons, ponds or even salt pans are all environments that have shaped the landscapes in which Man has been able to develop ...

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 ...

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...

Tonight, I'm surprising the children and offering them a magical evening at an amusement park! Top departure, the whole family is ready and we walk to the Luna Park from our campsite. As we approach the park, we hear music and laughter, and the children can't hold still. When we arrive in front of the park, we come across a sign announcing that a big fireworks display will close the evening. The excitement is at its peak! We start by pleasing the little ones, too impatient to wait another minute. Duck fishing, merry-go-rounds, sweets, they have stars in their eyes and don't know what to think. Then it's up to the teenagers to enjoy themselves on the thrill rides. We meet them in front of the ghost train and laugh heartily as they scream and then get out of the ride blaming e...

Who would have thought it? Red gold in the Thau Archipelago! As well as being renowned for its oysters, wine and Muscat, the area boasts not one, but two saffron farms! So there's no excuse to make your dream come true and enjoy a fragrant excursion to Villeveyrac.  The saffron shop Overlooking the Thau Basin, we invite you to discover this first saffron farm of 6000 m² nicknamed "La boutique du safran" or "My home farmer" and its owner Jorge Fernandez. Passionate about plants and flowers for their aromas and effects, Jorge will be happy to take you on a fragrant journey to discover this red-orange spice, but also the aromatic plants and elderberries that he grows organically. He will also share with you the traditional techniques inspired by permaculture and elect...

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...

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...

Our hike starts near the Saint Félix de Montceau abbey, in Gigean, in the Gardiole massif. The sun is shining, the whole family is motivated, I feel we are going to have a good time! A historical treasure We can't resist discovering the abbey before starting our walk. The visit begins with the gardens, where the scent of the Mediterranean plants that surround us floats. Surrounded by the remains of the huge gothic building, we are left wondering what life was like for the people who once lived here.Balcony with a view   The stony hiking trail leads us to discover the Gardiole massif and its very special vegetation. Once we reach the highest point of the circuit, the view is sumptuous: all around us, greenery, the abbey in the background, and in the distance, the Thau lagoo...

Winter is just around the corner and we have only one wish: to escape the cold! So we dream of being in the sun, enjoying the gentle way of life typical of the south of France. What if you could make this dream come true? Head for the Thau Archipelago to spend a few days in cocooning mode in a cosy apartment hotel, for a gastronomic dinner followed by a concert, in an unusual museum or even in pools of thermal water at 34°C and under the expert hands of masseuses. We'll tell you a little more about the weekend we've planned for you right now!  The Marcel suites It is in the heart of the city of Sète, along the Léopold Suquet quay, that you will find the first stage of your stay in the Archipel de Thau: your accommodation! Located above the mythical restaurant The Rio, ...

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...

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 ...

Festive meals are the ideal occasion to sublimate the riches of our land. Advice, recipe ideas, here are our top 5 local products to have on your table at the end of the year! 1 - Oysters from the Thau basin Their iodine perfume and their characteristic nutty taste make us melt all year round, but it is in the heart of winter that they are at their best. Produced in Bouzigues, Mèze and Marseillan, Thau oysters are an essential part of our festive meals, let's face it! Raw, they go very well with a simple lemon juice, but can also be eaten with a shallot sauce or with a dash of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and a turn of the pepper mill. Gratinated, they go wonderfully well with parsley butter, but also with a white wine or leek-based sauce.   Don't hesitate to ask ...

Two days to discover the Thau Archipelago? Challenge taken up! Need a change of scenery for a weekend? To the Thau Archipelago! The charm of its preserved nature, the flavours of its gastronomy and the art of living of its inhabitants will give you a second wind... and the desire to return there!

Gastronomy, crafts, exceptional places... Discover the charm of the Thau Archipelago! Sète and its canals, its atmosphere, its gastronomy, but also its small shops and workshops will not leave you indifferent! For a successful trip for two, you will have only the embarrassment of choice: going out on board an old rig, refined dinners, soothing treatments... Something to inspire you for your next stay!

Summer is shaping up to be beautiful, hot and long... the perfect recipe for a lovely evening with friends or family. But what about spicing things up with an unusual experience at sunset? That's what we've come up with in this top list of things to do at dusk! Kayakmed  We're off to a great start with a sea kayaking excursion on the Bassin de Thau. But before you take to the water with your paddle, let your instructor tell you what's in store for you on this tour with the evocative name "Sun Sète" (6-9pm). Once you've been introduced to the water, you can finally head off in the direction of Les Thocs, a real lagoon in Languedoc. It's here that you can watch the sunset while sipping a glass of local Muscat. Find out more here. A little extra: Kayakmed has been awarded ...

Ideal place for a break in nature, Frontignan will offer you a new breath! We have booked for our weekend a guest room in the Frontignan beach area. Welcomed in this pretty apartment by the sea, we enjoy an evening of picnicking on the sand. An awakening to the sound of the waves, we saw that sports classes on the beach are offered. So we will take advantage of a Yoga session to start the day off right.  Then to a beach restaurant, it's the opportunity to eat fresh fish! From there we rent bicycles, we have been told about the Muscat Festival, and we intend to discover this "muscat petit grains" grape variety wine that makes the city's reputation. Head for the city centre to discover this famous muscat and the other wines of the region. We take our tasting tickets and o...

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...

At the gates of Montpellier, in the middle of the Aleppo pines, lulled by the song of the cicadas, here you are galloping with your hair blowing in the wind on a real Camargue horse... Has this introduction given you ideas for your next holiday in the Thau Archipelago? Head for the riding centre along the Aresquiers road in Vic-la-Gardiole to enjoy this unique experience in the Aresquiers woods. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, come and explore the ponds of Vic-la-Gardiole, Ingril and even the old salt marshes of Frontignan on horseback or on a pony for the little ones. But first, a bit of history about the place you are about to discover!   The Aresquiers wood Lost between the lagoons of Vic-la-Gardiole and Ingril, on the edge of the sea and the salt ...

Discover the many facets of the Thau Archipelago through our selection of photos...

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!

Today, I'm learning to make the famous Sète tielle to bring back the flavours of my vacation with me. I have often heard about the tielle, this octopus pie and tomato sauce. I like to travel, but above all, I like to taste the culinary specialties! There's no better way to discover a culture, is there? I go to the Halles de Sète to drink my coffee before starting the cooking workshop. The chef, very friendly, explains the origin of the tielle, its ingredients and how we will cook the octopus. We start by making the dough, which was often the baker's dough at the time. A little flour, olive oil, yeast and salt, we knead well and here is our dough ready, we will let it rest until we prepare the rest. The thawed octopuses, ready to boil, in a saucepan. Now we remove ...