Sète
Lying between the Thau lagoon and the sea, Sète is France’s most important fishing port as well as a lively holiday resort with more than 7 miles of sandy beaches.
Hérault
Sète
The port of Sète, built at the same time as the Canal du Midi by Riquet and Colbert, was designed as the sea-mouth of the canal. You can watch cruise ships docking here all year round.
On the La Marine quayside, restaurants offer a wide choice of Sète specialities and the harbour is a lively spectacle throughout the day as trawlers return from their day’s fishing and unload their catch on the dock and then auction it.
The Cimetière marin which overlooks the Corniche and faces the sea, is one of Sète’s most famous places. It was immortalised by the Sète poet, Paul Valéry, who is buried in the upper part of the graveyard. It also houses the tomb of the actor and theatre director, Jean Vilar. Mont Saint Clair, with the chapel of Notre Dame de la Salette at its summit, is a place of pilgrimage. It is 183 metres in height and provides an exceptionally good view of the town and the docks.
Things to see and do in Sète : - Spectacular views from the top of Mont Saint Clair - the sailors’ cemetery - open air Theatre of the Sea - the Paul Valéry museum which traces the history of Sète - the George Brassens centre which pays homage to the singer and poet
Events in Sète : - sea jousting tournaments from April to September - Festival of St Peter and a Jazz Festival in July - Festival of Saint Louis - Shellfish Festival and Latin Fiesta in August - ‘Meet Georges Brassens’ in October
INFORMATION
Tourist Office - Tel: + 33 (0)4 67 74 71 71 Website
Port Saint Clair - Tel: + 33 (0)4 67 74 98 97
