For couples
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....
After a nice walk on the Canal du Midi, a short break in Marseillan where I decided to visit the Noilly Prat House. I want to know more about this vermouth, made here for more than 200 years, and why not, taste this famous drink!
A recipe with a well-kept secret
The guided tour begins with the discovery of a cellar, where huge oak tuns are placed on each side, giving this area a very special atmosphere. I learned that Noilly Prat is a vermouth, produced from white wine and a secretly kept mixture of aromatic plants such as chamomile and coriander. There are also bitter orange peels and nutmeg. Our guide makes us smell a glass of the mixture... hurry the tasting!An ancestral know-how
We continue our journey outdoors, where barrels are stored as far as the eye can see, in an ...
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 ...
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...
Fed up with traffic jams and dreariness, this weekend, we escape for a romantic getaway for two to Sète, the little Venice of the south!
As soon as our luggage is dropped off at the hotel, we head for one of the typical districts of Sète, the short point. In this fishermen's district, almost cut off from the world and bordered by the lagoon, it is a total change of scenery. Forgotten the pale lights of the office, the warm rays of the sun and the sea breeze caressing our faces, a delight...Then, direction Mont Saint-Clair, to enjoy the panoramic view of Sète, its port and its lagoon. The opportunity to make a selfie and share this moment with all our friends!After a lunch on a terrace in the city to taste local specialities, a short trip to the city's museums. We prefer two ...
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 ...
To forget the routine and stress of everyday life, there is nothing like a break for two.
And we have just the place you need for a weekend or a short stay for two in the South, between vineyards and lagoon...
An unusual place
Make way for a change of scenery at the Domaine Saint-André, a wine estate located near the Thau lagoon, in Mèze, opposite the town of Sète and Mont Saint-Clair. In the middle of nature, in the middle of the vineyards, you will just have to let yourself be carried away by the softness of autumn and an atmosphere dedicated to relaxation and gustatory pleasures.
What makes the Domaine Saint-André special? It brings together all the traditional Languedoc grape varieties (Cinsault, Carignan, Chardonnay, Muscat, Roussanne, Vermentino and Vio...
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...
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 ...
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...
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 ...
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...
It is exactly in the port of Marseillan that the mythical James Bond cocktail was born, or more precisely the Noilly Prat house! A real institution in this village on the banks of the Thau lagoon, it offers visitors the chance to try their hand at making their own vermouth-based cocktail, but also to take a trip back in time thanks to its themed guided tours.
Discover
To get a first glimpse of the Noilly Prat house, you should choose the guided tour entitled "Discover". Accompanied by the cellar master, let yourself be guided to discover the ancestral know-how of the house, unchanged since 1813, through :
the enclosure, an immense open-air cellar ;
the chamber of secrets where the perfumes of plants and spices from all over the world are concentrated;
a...
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...
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...
If you want to pamper yourself or have a romantic get-together during your stay in the Thau Archipelago, we have put together a top 3 list of spas where you can relax while discovering the region's treasures. On the agenda: relaxation in the renowned thermal water of Balaruc-les-Bains, an unusual massage using oyster shells, a 100% made-to-measure treatment in Marseillan...
The O'Balia thermal spa
In Balaruc-les-Bains, France's first thermal spa, we take you to discover the O'Balia thermal spa. But before telling you more about the treatments that the establishment has in store for you, we are going to take you on a journey through time.
Indeed, thermalism has been a part of the history of the city of Balaruc since Antiquity, as the resort has one of the hottest and...
Oh no, it's raining! Don't panic, whether you are with adults or with your family, we suggest 10 activities to do on the rare days when it rains in the Thau Archipelago.
1 - Let's go to the movies?
Comfortably installed in your seat, with a packet of popcorn in your hand, enjoy the latest films in one of the two cinemas in Sète, the Comoedia and the Palace, at the Taurus in Mèze or the CinéMistral in Frontignan. Block-busters, art house films, screenings for young audiences, you're bound to find something to suit you! In autumn and spring, screenings are also organised every Sunday afternoon at the Piano-Tiroir cultural centre in Balaruc-les-Bains.
2 - Take advantage of the opportunity to learn something new!
In Sète, culture is king and can also ...
Treat yourself to a privileged moment in an exceptional setting!
There's nothing like a trip with friends to forget the little worries of everyday life and recharge your batteries!
Yoga-paddle, spa, straw huts in the Thau Archipelago, we have absolutely everything you need!
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...
Rich in history, the little Venice of Languedoc can also boast a generous culinary heritage. And what could be better than to experience this during a cooking workshop during your holidays? If you are tempted by the experience, go to the heart of the Halles de Sète to meet Joe the Cooker and his chef, Magali Mag.
For adults
With friends or family, beginners or experts, the chef Magali invites you to discover the secrets of Sète's recipes during one of the three thematic workshops she offers: Discovery, Authentic, Ronda Viticole.
You will have the choice between: making a dish and a dessert; cooking a starter, a dish and a dessert; unless you prefer to accompany your dishes with a wine tasting. And if the dilemma is too great, it is even possible to do a course (180...
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 ...
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...