Summer

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!

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 ...

Today, we are heading for Villeveyrac! We are going to discover the "cathedral of the vineyards"... After taking a winding country road, we arrive in Villeveyrac and see the imposing building erected in the middle of the vegetation and the vines. The closer we get, the smaller I feel in the face of such grandeur. I can't wait to discover what's behind these old stones. Entering the abbey, we quickly find ourselves in the nave. It takes my breath away. Its size, its gothic architecture and the height of its vault create an atmosphere that commands respect. And we are not at the end of our surprises: all along the aisles of the nave there are wine casks, large barrels of several hundred hectolitres. We then understand that the history of the abbey is closely linked to that of th...

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...

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!

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 ...

Tribute to the missing sailors and fishermen. Discovering Sète's traditions Sunday morning. I enjoy a coffee on the terrace, in a small bar near the market of Les Halles, when I am challenged by excitement and music. Curious, I let myself be guided by the noise and came face to face with a procession led by a marching band. Is it one of those parades that precede the jousting tournaments, as I was told by friends who came to Sète last summer on holiday? To be sure, I decide to call someone when my eyes meet those of a lady of a certain age with a benevolent look. She tells me that today is St. Peter's Day, the patron saint of fishermen. The next stop of this great celebration takes place in the church of Saint Louis which, according to him, is worth a visit. I let myse...

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...

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...

No matter which destination you have chosen for your holiday in the Thau archipelago, we invite you to take advantage of these few days to get away from it all and discover the 14 communes that make up our destination.  You can also find more information in our magazine.   Balaruc-le-Vieux Set on a hillock, the village dominates the creek of the corner with a view on the lagoon. A medieval village wrapped in its ramparts, which magnifies the past. We love to get lost in its narrow streets. Discover Balaruc-le-Vieux   Balaruc-les-Bains The first spa in France, Louis Bonaparte already came here for a cure in the 19th century! People come here to enjoy the benefits of its thermal waters, but also to stroll through the flowery alleys of the Mediterranean Ant...

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...

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!

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 ...

What better way to (re)discover the Thau Archipelago, its towns and monuments through a treasure hunt during your family holiday? This is the experience you can have in Sète, Villeveyrac, Frontignan-Plage or Balaruc-les-Bains. Don't wait any longer!   Barberoussette: the treasure hunt for young and old (Sète) According to legend, the famous pirate Barberoussette was active in the maritime city at the end of the 16th century and hid his treasure there. Even today, many adventurers have tried to find it... Without success! Fortunately for you, the pirate left several pieces of the map that allow you to find his riches in Sète. But before you can hope to find them all, you will have to solve several riddles related to the monuments and history of Sète. Go to the tour...

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...

With 25 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, you are bound to find the ideal beach for you in the Thau Archipelago! ACCESSIBLE  THE BEACH FOR ALL All the seaside towns in the Thau Archipelago have beaches with walkways and Tiralos® (wheelchairs available at the lifeguard posts) adapted for bathing for people with motor disabilities, but only the beach at Balaruc-les-Bains has the Audioplage® system, which allows people with visual impairments to swim freely, independently and in optimum safety conditions. Balaruc-les-Bains is also one of the few French towns to have been awarded the national Destination for All label, recognising the spa's commitment to overall accessibility for people with disabilities. FAMILY NEVER WITHOUT MY CLANS  There is no shortage of family be...

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 ...

The Mediterranean Sea and the Thau lagoon are beautiful playgrounds for lovers of water sports and leisure activities, whatever their level. What are you waiting for to jump into the water? The Thau archipelago along the water. Local words: to discover the lagoon and the secrets of shellfish production for which the Thau basin is famous, there is nothing better than a boat trip! From the ports of Mèze and Bouzigues, former oyster farmers take you on a trip along the river, with explanations! Don't miss: the tasting walks and "sunset" outings in Mansathau, a delight for your taste buds and eyes! The Thau lagoon: an ideal spot for kite-surfing Kite-surfing combines the pleasure of a sliding sport, the technicality of a sailing sport and the adrenaline of an extreme sport...

Today, I indulge myself and offer myself a shellfish tasting, facing the lagoon. We're not going to lie to each other... If I came to spend a holiday in the Thau Archipelago, it's not just to laze in the sun! Epicurean at heart, I especially want to taste all the local specialities, especially the famous shellfish from the Thau lagoon. No time to waste! I'm heading for the north of the lagoon, between Bouzigues and Loupian, where producers offer tastings at their production site, the shellfish farms. Once there, I am immediately in the mood. Objectives: pleasure and relaxation. And the setting is perfect for it. I sit at a table on a wooden terrace, facing the deep blue of the lagoon, with an extraordinary view of the oyster beds and Sète in the background. I feel lik...

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...

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...

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, ...

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...

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 ...