: Sete

Sète is a major Mediterranean port in the Hérault department, built on and around Mont Saint-Clair at the base of the Bassin de Thau. Known as the "Venice of Languedoc" for its network of canals, it is a working fishing port, a ferry terminal, and a lively resort town. Sète is also a town of joutes nautiques (water jousting).

Sète has a TGV station on the high-speed line from Paris to Barcelona. By car, the A9 motorway passes nearby. Ferry services to Morocco and the Balearics.

The centre is compact and walkable, with canals, the market, and port within a few blocks. A local bus network covers the town and beaches.

The Canal Royal and other canals. The Cimetière Marin (Marine Cemetery). Mont Saint-Clair with Fort Richelieu. Musée Paul Valéry. Musée International des Arts Modestes. The Thau lagoon.

Watch the joutes nautiques (water jousting). Boat tour or kayak on the Thau lagoon. Swim at the beaches. The Thursday market.

Seafood paradise: tielles sétoises, bourride, grilled sardines, oysters, mussels. Pointe Courte neighbourhood restaurants.

Muscat de Frontignan (sweet white). Picpoul de Pinet (crisp white with oysters). Pastis.

Harbour-side hotels, mid-range in the centre, seaside along La Corniche. Guest houses on the Thau lagoon.

Thau lagoon oysters and mussels. Tielles sétoises (spicy squid pie). Muscat de Frontignan and Picpoul de Pinet wines.

Montpellier (20 minutes). Bouzigues, Mèze, Marseillan on the Thau lagoon. Cap d'Agde. Canal du Midi.