All experiences
Whether you are looking for the perfect gift or the wine that will go perfectly with your food at Christmas, you will make a great discovery this winter in the Thau Archipelago thanks to the wine tasting at Valmagne Abbey, preceded by a visit to the historic monument. And if you're still hesitating, let us convince you with our article dedicated to this unmissable stage of our destination!
A little history
Founded in 1139, Valmagne Abbey can boast many assets: "one of the most beautiful Cistercian abbeys in France"; "one of the best preserved examples of Cistercian art"; "one of the oldest vineyards in the Languedoc"; "the cathedral of wines"...
But what makes its richness above all is its history, the traces of which can be found in its 29m high central nave, in it...
For me, holidays are about discovery,
a lot of walking but also a little relaxation.
After an evening dancing at the Théâtre de la Mer, I suggest that my group of friends go and relax a little and that's good, not far from our accommodation we were told about Balaruc-les-Bains, famous for its Baths, perfect for the day we had planned.
We will have breakfast by the pond of Thau, what a treat, the hot sun, good pastries and here we go for a day of relaxation.
We arrive at O'balia, warm welcome, we opt for the Magic of Water and a small body massage. Large pools with thermal water at 34°C, a Hammam, a sauna, everything is perfect!
After 2 hours in the spa we decide to go to eat, a beach straw mat? We are tempted to eat with our feet in the sand, our activity being in ...
The Thau Archipelago, a circuit of space and time
All eras are found and intertwined on the Thau Archipelago: the Middle Ages and Baroque art, with the Abbey of Valmagne in Villeveyrac or the Abbey of aint-Felix de Montceau in Gigean, the circulating gardens of Balaruc-le-Vieux, the Gallo-Roman centuries, with the Villa des Prés Bas of Loupian and its mosaics of the 2nd century, the Grand Siècle, with the Canal du Midi, or the 17th century, with the Saint-Louis lighthouse, which stands at the end of the mole...
In the destination Sète Archipel de Thau,
25 km of fine sandy beaches are available to you.
Here are my tips for choosing the right page for you!
I want an accessible and family beach
You who never travel without your clan, you've come to the right place. Believe me, there is no shortage of family beaches in the Thau archipelago! To enjoy accessible beaches and offering a full range of useful services (surveillance, showers, toilets, PMR access), direction Sète, Marseillan Plage or Frontignan Plage. You can also opt for the beaches of Mèze, Bouzigues, or Balaruc-les-Bains which are ideal for toddlers, who can wade in shallow water and without electricity.
I like to think outside the box
If you are looking for a more "natural" place, the beach of Les Aresquiers, ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Discover 5 walking routes near Sète, to recharge your batteries and get some fresh air!
1 and 2 - Around Saint Félix de Montceau Abbey in Gigean
If you like beautiful panoramas, these routes are made for you! From the Gardiole massif, you can enjoy an incredible view of Sète, the Mediterranean and the Thau lagoon and its oyster beds.
There are two routes available to you:
- Easy level: duration 2h, distance 6,5km.
- Medium level: duration 4h30, distance 14,5 km.
3 - The Thau balconies, from Frontignan
The crossing of a fragrant pine forest will lead you to a first point of view on Frontignan and its vineyard. Climb again and this time you will enjoy a panoramic view of the Thau Lagoon, the Mont Saint-Clair and the lido. Don't forget to bring walking shoes...
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, ...
Discover different art forms in a resolutely cultural destination
Let yourself be surprised by the artistic worlds of the different museums of Sète. In this city that has always inspired artists, enjoy permanent and temporary exhibitions, to be discovered all year round.
The prestigious Paul Valéry Museum and its renowned exhibitions: world-renowned artists are on display. In addition to the permanent collection of Fine Arts, there is the Paul Valéry collection and a collection of popular arts and traditions.
Located on the Sète quays facing the old port, the Centre Régional d'Art Contemporain Occitanie is a laboratory for artistic creation. It offers a programme of temporary exhibitions accompanied by the production of works. Many meetings are organized to promote t...
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...
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....
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 ...
Do you dream of escaping for a weekend?
Sète is the destination you need.
It plays the "artistic" card and knows how to preserve its popular soul. Leave for a weekend with a little extra soul.
Beware, Sète will catch you in its nets!
All the flavors are in the halls of Sète
A treat for the eyes and the taste buds! Every morning, local products are in the spotlight: tuna, red mullet, sea bass, monkfish and of course seafood and shellfish from the Thau lagoon.
To find out more
Expert advice:
In Sète, you can enjoy many local specialties: macaroni, stuffed mussels and squid, cuttlefish rouille, and the famous tielle sétoise... Don't miss this little pie filled with octopus, a true institution of Sète gastronomy.Artistic stroll
Visit the Open Sky Museum, thanks to i...
Take a leap into the history of Sète... Immerse yourself in the intimacy of the poet Georges Brassens and the writer Paul Valéry... Or take a journey through modest and contemporary art... These are just some of the experiences you can have in Sète. Let us tell you a little more about the five museums you'll be visiting.
The Georges Brassens space
In addition to its jousts and its Mont Saint-Clair, Sète also attracts attention thanks to the famous singer-songwriter Georges Brassens. And what better way to discover the works of this great singer than in the museum dedicated to him.
So whether you are a music lover or simply curious, go along Boulevard Camille Blanc, at number 67, to experience a multi-sensory journey. Equipped with headphones, set off on a journey th...
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...
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...
Walks in the salt marshes or in the heart of the garrigue, observation of insects and birds, visits to vineyards... These are all experiences that the Tourist Office offers you during a "Nature outing".
Discovery of emblematic places
Whether you are a connoisseur of the wilderness that makes up the Thau Archipelago or an initiate, each "Nature outing" is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the history, fauna and flora that make up the archipelago.
We invite you to meet us near the Occitan villages of Balaruc-les-Bains, Frontignan and Loupian to (re)discover the terraces of the Gardiole, the old salt marshes, the Aresquiers wood, the abbey of Saint-Félix, the gulf of Aigues-Mortes...
So, open your eyes wide so as not to miss anything of the landscapes of the ...