The 6 things to do in Sète

Visit the city of Sète, the birthplace of Georges Brassens and its surroundings: here is a selection of things to do in Sète!

Formerly named “This”, Sète is the third largest agglomeration of the Hérault. An atmosphere of small harbour city and an invitation to poetry exhale from the streets of this commune of 43,620 inhabitants. A resort town, caught between sea, ponds and canals, and whose soul is maritime.

It is also called the “Vice of the Languedoc” because of its canals and fishing port. Paul Valéry – who called him “the singular island” –, Georges Brassens, Manitas de Plata and Jean Vilar were born there, giving Sète a timeless artist’s soul. Sète is enclaved between the Mediterranean Sea, Thau pond , and is famous for the quality of its seafood.

The largest fishing port in the French Mediterranean Sea, Sète stretches from west to east between beaches of fine sand, small popular neighborhoods, picturesque port and Mont Saint-Clair.

What to do in Sète? Activities are not missing in the birthplace of G. Brassens. To visit Sète in all seasons, here is our list of the must-sees to be made in Sète.

1. Visit the city centre

The city of Sète was founded in 1666 by Louis XIV to offer a maritime market on the Canal du Midi: thus the port of Sète and the water joutes were born. Anyone who comes to visit Sète is charmed by the city’s atmosphere, between canals, small squares and alleys in the city centre. Upon arriving in the city, you will enjoy the Royal Canal, the Charles Lemaresquier docks, or the Jean-Baptise Mary Promenade, where you can eat in seafood restaurants in humant the effluvees of the port and the cried. On the menu, stains, macaronade, bauder, squid rust, stuffed mussels and coconuts, fish soup, royal daurade, shells of the pond of Thau, zezettes, frescati... A walk along the Quai du Mistral at Pointe Courte is worth a visit.

2. Mount Mont Saint-Clair

Why not visit Sète by taking height? The view of Mont Saint Clair offers a splendid view of the sea, the pond of Thau and the city squared by its canals. A small urban hike – easy, but it goes well anyway – allows you to climb to 175 meters of altitude. It is in fact an ancient Mediterranean island, before the earth cord is formed linking it to what is today the commune of Marseillan.

A high density of wooded areas is located west of the islet, including the Sète forest. In the east, we find the marine cemetery – where Paul Valéry and Jean Vilar are buried – and the lighthouse of Sète. By descending to the south, we will not fail to make the museum Paul Valéry and the museum of the sea. By descending from the west, the beach of Corniche and the beach of Quilles is unveiled.

3. The space Georges Brassens

What to do in Sète? At the Georges Brassens Museum, the king's unconditional fans of words pulling on his jerk will be filled. The space of a moment, they will have the voice of their idol in the ears. The museum dedicated to the singer-songwriter is the most visited museum in the city of Sète, with 50,000 visitors per year.

This visit promises to be moving if you love the poetry, song and ideas of Georges Brassens (1921-1981). We enter the museum with a stereo headphone to listen to songs and interviews of the artist. Objects, photos, press articles retrace the life of G. Brassens, between Sète and Paris, from the 1920s to his death.

For about an hour, we explore how he wrote, his sources of inspiration, his character, and his themes of writing at various stages of his life (his experiences, women, desire, religion, death, etc.), a poetic immersion in the world of the singer. At the end of the visit, cross the road to collect you on his grave at the cemetery "Le Py", named "the poor cemetery" by the premises, where he resides with his parents and beloved Joha Heiman, dite Püppchen. He who said he preferred, singing, having " a soft little hole on the beach of Corniche » (Supplied to be buried on the beach of Sète), his death on holiday since 29 October 1981.

4. The beaches of Sète

At the west end of the city are the beaches of Sète. Summer like winter, you can go swimming or strolling on the fine sand, to enjoy a long wet beach cord by the blue waves. Seven beautiful beaches are located between the city centre of Sète and Marseillan, with views of Mont Saint-Clair: the beach of Lazaret, the beach of Corniche, the beach of Lido, the beach of Castellas, the beach of the fountain, the beach of the whale and the beach of the 3 dikes. Large parking facilities nearby allow you to park even in the summer.

5. The marina and the Môle Saint-Louis

The Môle Saint-Louis is the pier that closes the marina of Sète. The first stone of the môle Saint-Louis was laid on 29 July 1666. A walk along this dike is worth a look, to admire the city as if we were in the water. At the end of the pier, the Môle Saint-Louis lighthouse allows a beautiful view of the marina.

6. A boat ride

And since we are on the port, let’s end with a more than pleasant activity to do in Sète: rent a boat . Indeed, very nice excursions are to be made in sailboat, catamaran or motor boat. You will enjoy the Mediterranean air and sun, the time to arrive to your next destination.

For example, on water, Camargue , Cap d’Agde even the Côte Vermeille are accessible to spend the day. If visiting Sète already has something to please, combine this with one of the places quoted will make your vacation unforgettable.

How to get to Sète?

You can go to Sète by car, train and plane. If you come by car, the motorway exit Sète/Balaruc-les-bains is ideal for motorists driving on the A9 and the A75.

There are long distance buses that also offer you routes to get to Sète. The Sète train station is serviced by national trains as well as regional trains, it may be a good alternative to avoid taking your car in Sète.

If you arrive by plane, you will have to go through the airport of Montpellier-Mediterrannée. To find cheap flights to Montpellier, you can search our partner's website Skyscanner .

Where to stay in Sète?

Accommodation in Sète is relatively easy and accessible off-season. During the summer period, you will have to think about booking your hotel in advance. Do not hesitate to consult our guide find accommodation in Sète . You can find a cheap hotel in Sète and its surroundings by searching for this Compare hotels .

You are ready to visit the beautiful city of Sète!