Sète is the city of artists and sea lovers. If you haven’t yet discovered its charms, here are a few ideas for your stay!
The Old Port
Sète is first and foremost an old fishing port. You don’t have to go far to witness the constant spectacle of fishing boats passing by. From small colorful boats to large trawlers unloading fish by the net, the fish being auctioned on the quayside, or the fishermen cleaning their nets are all part of the experience. You can even go so far as to visit one of the old trawlers.
You can also climb the 126 steps of the Saint Louis lighthouse to admire the panorama of the old port, and of course, you can enjoy the catch of the day at one of the many seafood restaurants lining the quayside. Freshness guaranteed!
The canals
It’s not for nothing that Sète is nicknamed the Venice of the Languedoc, with magnificent canals crisscrossing its old town center. Simply strolling along the water or enjoying a coffee on one of the many terraces is a pleasure in itself, but you can also cross the canals in a cab boat – for a guaranteed Venetian atmosphere. You’ll also find plenty of hotels with windows overlooking the canals.
Gastronomy
Sète has gastronomy that is renowned throughout France for its delicate flavors. Seafood lovers are in for a treat!
A visit to the markets immerses us directly in the atmosphere and allows us to appreciate the freshness of the products. What better way to conclude this visit than to enjoy a tielle, the emblematic pie of Sétoise gastronomy, right on the quayside?
If you’re curious about your stomach, you’ll want to visit one of the city’s many wine-tasting establishments, so you can cultivate your brain as well as your taste buds.
As for the rest, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to seafood restaurants, whose menus still feature the legendary specialties for which Sète is famous: bourride, stuffed squid, macaroni, and much more…
A multitude of activities
It’s hard to get bored in Sète. There’s no shortage of activities here. For instance, lounging on white sandy beaches dotted with straw huts for refreshments, and water sports such as kayaking and kite surfing.
Climb to Mount Saint Clair and take in the exceptional panoramic view of the city and surrounding area from the summit. Make sure to spend the evening at the Théâtre de la Mer, which is a Roman-style amphitheater where concerts and screenings are regularly held in a magnificent setting.
Situated in the heart of France, right on the Mediterranean coast, Sète is easily accessible by car and by ferry. You can embark here from Morocco, at Tangier (10h or 37h journey) or Nador (29h journey) via the company GNV and you can of course book your ferry tickets using the Ferryscanner website.