Summer

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 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...

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

All the experiences to live for an unforgettable stay! Explore the lagoon by kite-surfing, admire it from a restaurant in front of a shellfish tray, before leaving it for a walk or a concert by the sea... Tempting, isn't it? Explore our site to discover all the experiences to be lived in the Thau Archipelago!

Move to the rhythm of musical festivals in the Thau Archipelago! From French music to rap, jazz and world music, let yourself be carried away by the highlights of a resolutely dynamic and cultural destination! In the Thau Archipelago, summer begins at the same time as "K-Live", the festival of urban cultures that takes over the Théâtre de la Mer but also the city. A multidisciplinary festival, it combines urban arts, visual arts and concerts of contemporary music. See you in early June! The festivities continue with "Quand je pense à Fernande", at the end of June, the festival for lovers of French song. As for electronic music, don't miss the "Worldwide Festival" at the beginning of July. During the day, enjoy free access sets on the beach, and in the evening, head f...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

Knowing our destination also means discovering the history of the products of our region. Focus on a local aperitif: muscat! A Mediterranean grape variety, well adapted to the climate Muscat is a typically Mediterranean grape variety, originating from Greece, planted in France with the first Phocaean colonies established in Marseille. If four types of muscat are cultivated in France, it is the white muscat with small grains that makes the reputation of the destination Sète Archipel de Thau. An aromatic explosion A well vinified muscat brings that musky and wild smell typical of this beverage that smells like a holiday. It is both a slightly animal expression, of rosewood and lychee with fruity notes of orange, exotic and floral fruits (jasmine, lemongrass, verbena). In ...

This summer, it's decided, I'm opting for an eco-responsible holiday! I rent a bike in Sète, and I'm going on a mop, discovering the diversity of the landscapes of the Thau Archipelago. Heading for the Gardiole The Gardiole massif is a beautiful playground for thrill-seekers. If, like me, you are a seasoned sportsman, don't hesitate to go there, preferably in the early morning to avoid the heat. Take advantage of your outing in the garrigue to admire the exceptional view that the massif offers you over the lagoon and the Thau archipelago, a great reward after the effort!

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...

The adventure begins at the entrance to the port of Sète You have always dreamed of watching the horizon, watching for the arrival of ferocious privateers, defending an islet against wind and tide. The view is spectacular, but it requires climbing the 126 steps to the top of the Sète lighthouse. Its luminous flashes indicate to sailors the entrance to the harbour.  Don't miss this unique visit. And for good reason, this monument is the only one to offer public access in the French Mediterranean.  Good plan for the family:  Access is free for children up to 11 years old. There is no doubt that this activity is recommended for families and has been awarded the "Family Plus" label!  Some figures and a little history 2297 stones, 310 m3 of ashlar, 126 steps, ...

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!

In Sète, there are the beaches of Paul Valéry, Georges Brassens... but there's also a life after the beach A life of hut, on Mont Saint-Clair. A cultural life, with the Chapelle du Quartier Haut, the MIAM or the Espace Brassens. A lively culture also, from the Pointe-Courte fishermen's quarter to the Halles centrales, where you can taste tielles and shellfish, without forgetting the daily ball of the trawlers returning to the port. A nocturnal culture too, with the fairy tale of the canals at night or the Théâtre de la Mer and its magical scene. More than a view, a vision....  

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...

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, ...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...