Discover Sète and Occitanie: An Attractive and Authentic Region

Sète, a cultural and maritime city, welcomes you in the heart of Occitanie. With nearly 300 days of sunshine per year, enjoy a wide range of excursions to discover the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage, prestigious natural sites, and remarkable wine-growing areas. Seaside relaxation, active leisure, and authentic encounters are also part of the experience!

Tourism in Sète and the Thau Archipelago

Tourism in Occitanie

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A Stopover Full of Discoveries

City of Knowledge

Its faculty of medicine is the oldest still-operating medical school in the world (founded in 1220), as is its botanical garden, created in the 16th century to train medical students.

The Authentic Charm of Sète

Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this maritime city that inspires artists. Stroll along picturesque canals and through museums, admire the colorful facades, and soak up the warm ambiance of the fishing port. The pedestrian streets and lively quays of the city center invite you to explore and experience a true change of scenery.

Sète: The City Set on the Water

Charm of the Canals

The Port of Sète, nestled at the foot of Mont Saint-Clair, was established in 1666 by decree of Louis XIV to serve as the maritime outlet of the Canal du Midi. This canal runs through the city, giving Sète its unmistakable charm!

Picturesque Fishing Port

Sheltered within the old port, tuna boats, trawlers, and fishing barges dock in the heart of the city, creating a unique atmosphere that defines Sète.

Artistic Vibrancy

Is it Sète’s near-insular nature that has inspired so many artists? From Georges Brassens to Pierre Soulages, from Paul Valéry to Hervé Di Rosa, from Robert Combas to Agnès Varda—every form of art is celebrated here!

Generous Gastronomy

Seafood, shellfish from the Thau lagoon, and local wines are the key ingredients of a rich local gastronomy to discover at the markets and among the shellfish farmers and winemakers of the Thau Archipelago!

Festivities and Jousting Competitions

Many artistic festivals take place during the beautiful season. The traditional sport of water jousting, deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of Sète, has enlivened the royal canal since the port’s inauguration in 1666.

12 km of Pristine Beachfront

Along the lido, a narrow strip of sand separating the Mediterranean from the Thau lagoon, 12 km of beach classified as Natura 2000 delight those who enjoy relaxing or practicing water sports.

The Thau Lagoon and Its Charming Villages

Classified as Natura 2000, the Thau Lagoon, the largest lagoon in Occitanie, boasts exceptional ecological diversity.

A rare place in Europe where a significant population of seahorses is found, they have made their home in the seagrass beds of the lagoon.

Some 800 farms cultivate oysters and mussels using a very specific method: rope farming.

Marseillan and the Noilly Prat cellars, Mèze which cultivates the famous “Picpoul de Pinet” wine inland, Bouzigues, the birthplace of shellfish farming...

Established since 1813 on the port of Marseillan, Noilly Prat offers an exceptional setting to discover the place where its prestigious vermouth is crafted.

A Remarkable Cultural and Natural Heritage Departing from Sète

UNESCO Sites

Four UNESCO World Heritage sites are located near Sète: the Pont du Gard, the Canal du Midi, the Cité de Carcassonne, and the Routes of Santiago de Compostela (Saint-Guilhem le-Désert).

Exceptional Natural Sites

The Thau Lagoon, Camargue, and Tarn Gorges offer unique landscapes set in a Mediterranean atmosphere.

Towns of Art and History

Montpellier, Nîmes, Carcassonne, Narbonne, Béziers, Uzès, Pézenas... will captivate you with their remarkable historical and cultural heritage.

Agde And Pézenas

Agde, Greek City

An ancient trading post, this city built with volcanic stone from Mont Saint-Loup has prospered over the centuries thanks to maritime trade. It is one of the oldest towns in France.

Pézenas, the Town of Molière

A town of art and history, with its charming cobbled streets lined with artisan shops, Pézenas invites leisurely strolls. You’ll hear it echo with the jests of the illustrious theatre. It honors the memory of the greatest ambassador of the French language, Molière—but that’s not all...

Château Laurens, a Gem of Art Nouveau

This ideal palace of Southern Art Nouveau transports you into a tale of “One Thousand and One Nights,” a remarkable example of the eclectic architecture of the late 19th century.

Carcassonne: A Medieval Gem

The Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the best-preserved medieval complexes in Europe and invites you on an extraordinary journey through time.

Impressive Fortifications

Its 52 towers and 3 kilometers of ramparts make it one of the best-preserved medieval citadels in Europe.

Narbonne Gate

A majestic entrance to the medieval city.

Count’s Castle

A fortress at the heart of the city, offering an immersive journey into medieval history.

Basilica of St. Nazaire

Former cathedral with magnificent 14th-century stained glass windows.

Hérault, a Natural Amphitheater Facing the Mediterranean

The Haut-Languedoc, Causses, and Cévennes

Often steep, the mountains and plateaus also define the character of the Languedoc region.

The Hérault Plain

A setting for the vineyards, it also shelters gems like Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Pézenas.

The coastal strip and its string of lagoons

The chain of lagoons provides a gentle transition between land and sea and serves as true sanctuaries of nature.

Montpellier – A Unique Architectural Heritage

A dynamic city rich in history, culture, and modernity, Montpellier offers a variety of excursion themes just 30 km from Sète.

L’Écusson, the medieval district in the city center, features picturesque narrow streets, historic mansions, and iconic landmarks such as the Tour de la Babotte, Saint Peter’s Cathedral, and its 12th-century Mikveh.

Its medical school is the oldest active medical faculty in the world (founded in 1220), as is its botanical garden, created in the 16th century for the training of medical students.

In the 18th century, Montpellier saw the rise of magnificent residences called "Folies," showcasing exquisite refinement and architectural feats. Since then, many renowned contemporary architects have contributed to the city, including Bofill, Nouvel, Fontès, Bühler, and Fujimoto...

Home to one of the largest art collections in France, featuring classical works by Delacroix and Courbet as well as modern pieces by Soulages, Montpellier showcases its treasures at the Musée Fabre. Contemporary art comes to life at the incredible MO.CO.

Narbonne: Ancient Capital

Ancienne capitale de la Gaule narbonnaise, Narbonne a conservé de nombreux Former capital of Roman Narbonensis Gaul, Narbonne has preserved many remnants of its glorious past. Today, it is a vibrant Mediterranean city, a wine-growing center, and a transportation hub.vestiges de son passé glorieux. Aujourd'hui, c'est une ville méditerranéenne animée, centre viticole et carrefour de communications.

Narbo Via, the History of the Ancient City of Narbo Martius

Narbo Via pays tribute to the capital of the Narbonensis Gaul province with an incredible archaeological collection expertly displayed in a building designed by the architecture firm Foster + Partners.

Canal de la Robine

Ideal for walks, cycling, or boating, it crosses the city through a charming setting.

Surrounding Vineyards

Narbonne is surrounded by renowned wine regions, offering tastings and oenological discoveries.

Nîmes: The Roman Heritage

Nîmes, an ancient Gallo-Roman city and today a City of Art and History, offers a unique blend where preserved ancient heritage and contemporary architecture coexist.

120 BC

Captured by the Romans, Nîmes became an important city in Roman Gaul, witnessing the construction of iconic monuments that are still preserved today: the Arena, the Maison Carrée, the Tour Magne, and the Pont du Gard aqueduct.

1229

The city came under the influence of the Counts of Toulouse and the Kingdom of France.

Contemporary Era

Nîmes hosts architectural designs by Norman Foster (Museum of Romanity), Jean Nouvel (Carré d’Art), and Philippe Starck.

Aigues-Mortes: Medieval City in the Camargue

Aigues-Mortes, a key departure point for the Crusades of Saint Louis, is a fortified town in the heart of the Camargue. Today, it is located 5 km from the sea.

1,600 meters of tawny stone ramparts surround the town and shelter the Tour de Constance, a symbol of part of Protestant history.

The town retains an authentic charm, with its grid layout characteristic of medieval bastides.

White horses, black bulls, and pink flamingos greet visitors, along with the salt flats of Aigues-Mortes, featuring their salt mounds and rosy waters.

Romanesque Art in Occitanie

Romanesque art appeared in Languedoc-Roussillon at the beginning of the 11th century. Wonderful small churches and significant abbeys bear witness to the cultural and spiritual influence of the region.

The Canal du Midi: A 17th-Century Masterpiece

Built during the reign of Louis XIV by Pierre-Paul Riquet, the Canal du Midi connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996, it stands as a testament to the civil engineering genius of its era. Sète owes its creation to the canal, providing a Mediterranean outlet after crossing the waters of the Thau Lagoon from Marseillan.

Contemporary Architecture in Occitanie

Since the 1980s, cities in Occitanie, notably Nîmes and Montpellier, have embarked on bold architectural projects that blend historical heritage with contemporary design.

Carré d’Art, Nîmes

Antigone District, Montpellier

La Grande-Motte

A futuristic seaside resort from the 1960s, designed by Jean Balladur, now classified as 20th-century heritage.

Famous Figures of Occitanie

Occitanie has been home to or visited by many artists and writers who have left their mark on the region’s history and beyond.

George Brassens (Né à Sète)

Occitanie, Land of Artistic Inspiration

In the 20th century, Roussillon and the Côte Vermeille attracted great names in painting, giving rise to revolutionary artistic movements.

1905

Matisse stayed in Collioure, giving birth to Fauvism. Today, Collioure offers the Fauvism Trail, a route dotted with reproductions of works by Henri Matisse and André Derain.

The 1910s

Development of Cubism in Céret with Manolo, Picasso, and Braque.

today

Sète and the Thau Archipelago have welcomed many artists and were, in 1981, the birthplace of the Figuration Libre movement with Hervé and Richard Di Rosa, Robert Combas, François Boisrond, and Robert Blanchard.

Traditional Festivals of Occitanie

Occitanie is rich in traditions and local festivals that bring daily life in towns and villages to life. These celebrations, often of ancient origin, feature vibrant and colorful popular gatherings.

Languedoc Jousting Competitions

Traditional tournaments held in the canals and ports of towns in the Hérault and Gard regions, where the “knights of the tintaine,” all dressed in white, compete against each other.

Camargue Bull Races

A traditional game featuring men and bulls.

Ferias

Popular festivals centered around horses, bulls, and music.

Languedoc Jousting: A Maritime Tradition

From June to September, the canals and ports of Sète, Agde, Palavas-les-Flots, Mèze, Balaruc, and Grau-du-Roi host water jousting tournaments, a tradition deeply rooted in the hearts of the local people.

Preparation

The jousters dress in white and board the traditional boats.

Confrontation

Armed with a lance and a pavois (shield), the opponents try to knock each other into the water according to clearly defined rules.

VICTORY

The last jouster remaining standing on their tintaine (raised platform) is declared the winner.

Celebration

On August 25th in Sète, the Saint-Louis tournament crowns the champion of the year.

The Camargue Bull Races

Also called "courses à la cocarde," the Camargue bull races are an ancient game that has become a true spectacle governed by strict rules. They take place in many villages across the Gard and Hérault regions.

Men dressed in white who try to snatch the cocarde (ribbon) from the bull.

Arc-shaped movement made by the razeteur to approach the bull.

A red ribbon tied between the bull’s horns, often awarded as a prize.

A dramatic moment when the bull chases the razeteur all the way to the barrier.

Ferias: Popular Festivals of the South

Ferias, originally from Spain, have become an essential tradition in Occitanie. Nîmes, Béziers, and Céret come alive to the rhythm of these colorful festivals several times a year.

Tauromachie

Bullfights in the arenas are the highlight of the ferias, attracting both aficionados and curious spectators.

Music and Dance

The streets come alive with the sounds of bandas and folk groups, inviting everyone to join the celebration.

Gastronomy

Ferias are the perfect opportunity to savor local specialties and celebrate the region’s wines.

Antiquity in Occitanie

From the 7th century BC onwards, Occitanie was a crossroads of civilizations, marked by the influence of the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans.

7th century BC

Founding of Greek, Etruscan, and Phoenician trading posts along the coast. The first urban layouts appeared in the 6th century BC with oppida, such as Enserune near Béziers.

118 BC

The Roman colony of Narbonne was founded, accompanied by the construction of the Via Domitia—the oldest known road in French territory, prominently featured in Narbonne—and Ambrussum.

1st century AD

Construction of the Pont du Gard and development of Roman cities.

Circular Villages

In the Middle Ages, between the 10th and 13th centuries, many villages adopted a unique circular layout called a "circulade." This distinctive design served defensive and communal purposes.

Central Church or Castle

Focal Point of the Community

Concentric Streets

Facilitating defense and movement

Outer Enclosure

Protective wall surrounding the village

The Lagoon Landscapes of Occitanie

The Languedoc lagoon area spans over 40,000 hectares, offering a unique natural spectacle between land and sea. These fragile and preserved ecosystems shelter exceptional fauna and flora.

Iconic Wildlife

The lagoons are the realm of flamingos, egrets, and many migratory birds.

Traditional Activities

The lagoons, such as the Thau Lagoon, are centers of significant oyster farming activity.

Sustainable Tourism

Trails and nature centers allow visitors to explore these fragile and protected areas.

The Great Natural Spaces of Occitanie

Beyond the lagoons and shores, Occitanie offers exceptional landscapes shaped over millennia by the whims of the elements.

Gorges

The Gorges of Tarn, Hérault, and Héric offer spectacular landscapes.

Causses

Vastes plateaux calcaires abritant une flore et une faune uniques.

Montagnes

Des Pyrénées au Massif Central, des sommets pour tous les amateurs de nature.

Natural Cirques

Navacelles and Mourèze, impressive geological formations.