Autumn

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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

With an exceptional sunshine rate of 320 days per year, the Thau Archipelago offers a beautiful back-season to all those who wish to prolong the summer or treat themselves to a vitamin D cure after the start of the school year. Leave the daily grind, traffic jams and dullness behind and experience the Indian summer in the Thau Archipelago!  Not convinced yet? Here are some ideas for activities to get you started on your next stay...  Muscatel wine tasting in a wine estate  Between the maritime plains and the garrigues, the Thau Archipelago is now recognised as a wine destination par excellence. The area has also been awarded the Vignobles et découvertes label.    If many producers open the doors of their domain to visitors wishing to taste the products of our s...

The first thermal spa in the Mediterranean, O'balia offers a multitude of treatments that take advantage of the benefits of thermal water. Unleash your senses and treat yourself to a well-deserved break in this place entirely dedicated to relaxation and well-being.   The pool area  In a setting of greenery and natural Mediterranean woods, the pool area of the O'balia wellness centre offers water in all its forms. Sensory pools, hydromassage benches, swan necks and bubbling sofas will offer you an unforgettable moment of relaxation. Unless you opt for the onsen, a Japanese-inspired bubbling bath, nestled in a green setting and bathed by a waterfall. An intimate place conducive to contemplation... Finally, bask in the hammam, where you can relax while enjoying the gentle h...

If you are looking for an idea to occupy your winter or summer evenings or to entertain your children, this article is for you! Indeed, the Thau Archipelago is full of theatres and concert halls where young and old alike can be entertained. Theatre, concerts, dance, one-man shows, musical tales, puppets... There's something for everyone and in every season. So, curtain up!  The Molière Theatre, Scène Nationale (Sète) Located along the Avenue Victor Hugo, the Molière Theatre is a well-known venue for the people of Sète. Here you can enjoy theatre, but not only! With nearly forty shows on offer throughout the year, you will be spoilt for choice: music, dance, opera... There are even shows for children. For the record, we owe this Italian-style theatre to the archit...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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...

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...

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 travel back in time? This is the new experience that we suggest you live during your stay in the Thau Archipelago and more precisely in Mèze, at the Dinosaur Museum-Park. Located in the heart of an exceptional palaeontological site, this largest museum-park in Europe dedicated to dinosaurs and prehistory will delight young and old alike with its skeletons, fossils and life-size dinosaurs... So don't wait any longer to take this leap into the history of Man and dinosaurs!   A little history  It all began in March 1996 when a large number of dinosaur eggs were discovered on the site, proving that the region was occupied for nearly 10 million years by different species of dinosaurs.   In 1997, Alain Cabot decided to invest in the site and turn it in...

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...

Visit our Archipelago and its cultural sites in a different way, emblematic of our history. Do you like history and stroll around Sète? Let's go to the Sea Museum! History of the construction of the port, ship models, Languedoc jousting... This museum will reveal all the secrets of the city of Sète, its traditions and its exceptional maritime heritage. Extend your visit to Sète by visiting the Espace Georges Brassens and discover the internationally renowned Sète artist, his life and work thanks to image and sound. Whether you are a music lover or just curious, this place will not leave you in the dark! Why not then head for Frontignan to see its church (Saint Paul), built at the beginning of the 12th century? This surprising construction is made up of limestone from...

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...

In the Thau Archipelago, the mildness of autumn and winter invites you to go for nature walks and bird watching. The ideal place? Marseillan, in the heart of the Bagnas nature reserve.  The Bagnas nature reserve    Nestled between Marseillan and Cap d'Agde, the Bagnas nature reserve covers no less than 561 hectares and offers you a wide choice of walks. The promise of beautiful "nature" escapades, during which you can, among other things, escape along the Canal du Midi, to the Mont Saint-Loup (Agatha volcano), to the Onglous lighthouse, to the Domaine de Maraval (a wine-growing estate) or to the observation area on the main road.  During your walk, you will only have to look up to see the 250 species of birds that fly over the reserve. Unless you prefer to take one o...

 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...  

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...

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...

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 ...