SèteMainland France · France

All About Sète

Known as Cette up until 1827, the seaside retreat town of Sète is undoubtedly one of the best-kept secrets in France. Located between the Mediterranean and the Étang de Thau lagoon, it is a quiet getaway and a cheaper stay option than the French Riviera, which starts only a few kilometers further along the coast. Taking a ferry to Sète is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

The reason behind Sète’s unmatched charisma is its idyllic setting. On the one hand, the city seamlessly wraps around the hill of Mont Saint Claire. On the other, its web of canals connecting the sea with the saltwater lagoon creates an enchanting ambiance. That’s why Sète is often called the ‘Venice of Languedoc’. Adding to the city’s magnetic elements is its pleasant climate, with daytime temperatures staying above 20°C (68°F) for half the year. June to August, though, is the prime tourist season offering plenty of sunshine for endless days on the beach.
 

Routes and Ferries to Sète

Ferry tickets to Sète enable passengers to catch an unforgettable voyage from Africa to Europe across the Mediterranean Sea’s blue waters. Ferries operated by Balearia and GNV cover the routes from Tangier and Nador to Sète on a weekly basis. Although the trip in both cases takes upwards of 40 hours, the ferries are well-appointed with seats as well as twin and four-person sharing cabins. There are two sailings from Tangier and one from Nador every week, both bookable via Ferryscanner. The prices of ferry tickets to Sète differ based on the season. However, a one-way twin cabin on the ferry from Nador will come in at around €120.

By air, Sète is reachable via three nearby airports. Béziers and Montpellier are roughly 28km from the city. While the former serves only a few low-cost airlines, Montpellier welcomes permanent and seasonal flights from across Europe. The drive from the airports to the center of Sète takes approximately one hour. The airport in Marseille has even better connections with the rest of Europe. However, the city is at a distance of 170km from Sète.

Various French towns like Paris and Lille have frequent trains to Sète. Travel from London and Barcelona to Sète via rail is equally convenient. While some of these train journeys are non-stop, others might require one or two changes en-route.
 

Port of Sète

King Louis XIV, in 1666, was the one to order the construction of a port in Sète. As the second most crucial French harbor in the Mediterranean, after Marseille, Sète has since become an essential trade and tourism hub of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Situated between the lagoon and the sea, the port provides direct access to Africa, resulting in several vacationing passengers traveling to and fro between the continents with the help of ferry tickets to Sète.

Assisting in this endeavor is the Orsetti Ferry Terminal at Sète port. Facilities upon arrival include a restaurant, showers, toilets, and covered waiting areas. Self-driving tourists can access the highway within 10 minutes. The local train station is a 15-minute walk, and the city center is only a two-minute walk from the ferry terminal.
 

Best Beaches

A string of beautiful beaches near Sète provides travelers with the option of enjoying a different seaside retreat every day. Although one can also relax on La Plagette, a sandy spot adjacent to Étang de Thau, most tourists prefer to lounge on the beaches bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

Plage du Lazaret

A petite beach in the city, Lazaret has mostly rocky areas and a small sandy patch. The area around the beach is ideal for walking and biking. The water coming on the shore is clean, with hardly any wave action, and doesn’t get deep quickly. A favorite with families, amenities at Lazaret include showers and lifeguards in the summers.

Plage Des Sarcelles

Frontignan is a region famous for its sweet wine that lies 10 minutes to the east from Sète. The beach here is sandy and vast enough to let children run around without a worry in the world. However, pets aren’t allowed on the beach. Plage Des Sarcelles has showers, lifeguards on duty and it remains uncrowded even on warm weekends. There are shops and kiosks selling ice-cream and refreshments nearby.

Plage de la Corniche

Plage de la Corniche is a huge family-friendly beach near the city center that fills up fast with sunbathers on weekends and holidays. The water is calm around the shore, and the seabed slopes gently, allowing kids to splash and play comfortably. From June to August, a children’s beach park with bouncy castles and swings pops up temporarily at Plage de la Corniche.

Plage de la Fontaine

The 12km continuous strip from Plage de la Fontaine to Marseillan Plage is the crowning jewel of beach life in the Languedoc region. This extended sandy coastline is prominently visible from the boat when sailing into the city, holding ferry tickets to Sète. The promenade bordering the multiple beaches that are a part of this lively shore is perfect for long walks or bike rides. Situated close to the marina, Plage de la Fontaine has restaurants, cafes, paid parking, foot jets, showers, and WC’s. During summer the beach adopts a carnival-like atmosphere hosting kid-centric attractions, including carousels, beach games, and surfing lessons.

Plage de Rochelongue

A day trip from Sète worth taking is to Agde. The commune, situated 40-minutes to the west, past Étang de Thau, has a lengthy shore starting from Wake Beach all the way to Plage de Rochelongue. Monitored by lifeguards, showers, toilets, shallow waters, and plenty of beachside activities makes the beach excellent for an amusing outing with the family. Jungle Beach, Bianca Beach, Nudisme Interdit, and L’infini are some of the popular beachside restaurants where you can savor delicious seafood.
 

Places to Visit

Laid-back hikes, vibrant artistic and cultural excursions, and the quirkiness of centuries-old legacies, for a small city, there is surprisingly an abundance of places to see and things to do in Sète.

Mont Saint Claire

The 183 meters high Mont Saint Claire is an unavoidable fragment of Sète’s persona. The gentle hike to reach the top of the hill takes about an hour from the city center. On the way back, go down the stairs past the Pierres Blanches pine forest. A quicker option is to drive or take the bus to the viewing platform from where breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, the sea, and the lagoon are at your disposal. While at Mont Saint Claire, pay a visit to the beautiful Notre Dame de la Salette church to admire its gorgeous wall art.

Les Halles des Sète

In Sète, gastronomic excellence is for all to experience at the covered market Les Halles. With over 75 stalls selling fresh products, particularly shellfish, it has been a culinary institution of the city since 1890. Les Halles is the best place to pick up fish or indulge in delectable local dishes served at one of its restaurants. On Wednesdays, a market extends outwards from Les Halles, engulfing the city, as local producers and artisans come out to sell food, textiles, flowers, and handmade souvenirs.

Museum of the Sea

Museum of the Sea is a contemporary-looking white building highlighting the history of Sète port and that of water jousting. On display are nautical artifacts, exhibits, model boats by André Aversa, and mannequins wearing traditional maritime clothes. Entry into the museum, which opens from May to October, and November to April, is totally free.

Théâtre Molière

A noteworthy historical monument of Sète, this theatre of performing arts is most active from September to June. During this time, the impressive Théâtre Molière hosts various shows, from theatrical productions and music concerts to dance and jazz events. Built-in 1904 under the guidance of architect Antonie Gour, the theatre underwent refurbishment from 2011-2013. Visitors not attending a performance can take a guided tour of Théâtre Molière on select days. 

Maritime Jousting

The sport of water jousting in Sète dates back to 1666 when the seaport’s first stone was laid. Ingrained into the local culture ever since, every generation continues to participate in this much-celebrated tradition. Maritime jousting involves a jouster standing on the tip of a boat with a lance and a shield. He must then knock his challenger into the water as team members row the opposing boats toward each other. Saint Louis Festival, held in August amidst cheering crowds, is the sport’s leading annual event. However, several smaller water jousting competitions take place in the canals of Sète from June to September.
 

Transportation Around Sète

Sète has an extensive bus network covering different parts of the city as well as neighboring towns. The fare for a single one-hour ticket is €1.30. To make travel hassle-free, it is possible to purchase a discounted 10-ticket booklet for €9.50 or a weekly card for €11. The city center of Sète is walkable and doesn’t require public transportation. Moreover, in July and August, the local authorities have a free waterbus service every 20 minutes between Quai Paul Riquet and Quai Général Durand.

Tourists arriving in the city using ferry tickets to Sète often bring their own cars. There are tons of free spaces to leave your car along the town roads as well as three areas for paid, long-term parking. Renting a vehicle, be it a car, motorbike, or bicycle is simple. There are taxis available across Sète, although they are a comparatively expensive transport option.