"Sete" Top 5 Page for this destination Sète by diosh

Sète Travel Guide: 66 reviews and 196 photos

Sete

We stayed in Sete last year for the first time and am I returning this July.
It's a 'proper' French town, on the Mediterranean Coast, south of Montpellier.It's traversed by canals which are crossed by 14 bridges.The 14km beach is a short bus ride from the town.The beach is backed by the Grau de Thau,famous for its oyster and mussel beds.At the end of this spit of land is Cap d'Agde and Vias.
July is a good time to visit as Bastille day is the 14th and the Grand Pardon de St.Pierre takes place that month als,.as well as the Jousting tournaments which take place on the canal-an amazing sight!
The town is well stocked with restaurants and cafes,all reasonably priced.The huge market is held on a Wednesday and there is a Flea Market every Sunday,in the upper part of the town.

This is the famous jousting tournament-Barque Blue against Barque Rouge.It goes on every day through August and till early September.Rules unknown to anyone except Setioses!

Sete again! (July 2004)

Celebrating!

Enjoyed 10 days here.Loads to do,apart from lounging on the beach! Visited Aigues Mortes,amazing fortress built in 1095(or thereabouts!),walked around the ramparts after guided tour of fortress.Was built to keep out the enemies then used as a prison for the Huguenots,mainly women,later,who defied the Edict of Nantes in 18th Cent.Kept there for 38 years!Also visited La Grande Motte, extraordinary triangular architecture,built in 60s.Lovely beaches there.
There for Bastille celebrations,endless brass bands,then fireworks.
Also the torchlit procession of statue of St.Peter,in memory of fishermen lost at sea.More brass bands and half the townspeople processing!
Did boattrip out to oyster/mussel beds in Etang de Thau.Saw oysters 'growing' from glass-bottomed boat.Like prehistoric forest!

Here's the jousters celebrating at the local bar!Vive le Barque Blue!
The jousting tournament is the most amazing event I've seen! It goes on every day, amidst much shouting, cheering, trumpetting, with brass bands playing all the while!It goes on late into the night and the various bars which support Barque Rouge ou Bleu are heaving with supporters.Apparently, on the last 3 days the whole town is closed off to traffic.Speed boats whizz across the canal, picking up the shields of the jousters who have fallen in.The unfortunate jousters are left to make their own way back to dry land!They don't even dry off-they just stay on the bank, dripping, whilst drinking in the bar!

Cyber cafe!

Market Wares-Spoon Stall!

Now I'm a keen VT'er I'd better add info of the Cyber cafe in Sete!
It's at 10 Ave.Victor Hugo,34200,Sete.
Tel. 04 67 46 14 36
English spoken there!This latest trip(July 2004) I discovered 3 cyber cafes!
1 euro for half an hour!
Managed to get my Georges Brassens CD this time.He was born in Sete.

Here's one of the attractive stalls at the market-held every Wednesday.The market takes over the main streets of the town and it buzzes with activity from 6.00 a.m.till 1.00p.m.They sell anything--loaves of bread, olives, saucissons,horse meat,, melons, veg,flowers, shoes,(Berni!), clothes, etc.,etc.,etc.I love it and I have to check out every stall in case I miss some treasure!

Last visit to Sète: Jul 2003
Intro Updated Aug 7, 2005
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Reviews (37)

Door knockers and other unusual street... Things to Do (13)

I love walking around a new place and photographing unusual things that catch my eye. One day, in France, in Sete, I... more travel advice

"Bollard" roadway- cafe chairs just visible. - Sète

The bollard cafe. Local Customs (3)

This is more a 'funny' than a tip! My friend and I were sitting outside this cafe- watching the world go by, whilst... more travel advice

Tielle recipe.courtesy of tourist office... Local Customs (3)

The Tielle -Octopus tart Ingredients for 6 people: Filling: 1 kg of flour 1 teaspoon of yeast. 1 kg of... more travel advice

Friendly, comfortable hotel. Hotels (5)

We stayed with Mme Narcisse in 2004.Meeting her grandchildren and dog, who all joined us at breakfast time!Dog stayed on... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All Train trip to Agde.
Off The Beaten Path (10)
See All Carcassonne Castle.
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Comments (37)

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BruceDunning Nov 30, 2010 at 1:12 PM

This looks to be a wonderful place to enjoy the beach and see the wonderful harbor activity besides. YOu have done a good job of picture taking and the comments helpful
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ranger49 Jan 20, 2010 at 2:43 PM

Diane -What an evocative page - I will be back to finish the tour!
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JLBG Jan 5, 2010 at 2:18 PM

I have now visited only your new tips. I laughed a lot about your bollard cafe! Next time, we will have a look!
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joiwatani Apr 18, 2009 at 8:16 AM

Great tips, Diane!
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jelw Dec 15, 2008 at 3:48 AM

Wonderful area, reminds me a bit of home. The Camargue horses are similar to the Chincoteague ponies. Glad the white noise has died down for you. I imagine it will be awhile before it dies down for your nephew though.
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vpeter Jul 14, 2008 at 4:18 AM

What a great pic of Brel and Brassens. P.
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Jeannette1 Mar 14, 2008 at 2:58 PM

Great page and nice photos. I love the Camargue area. Never heard that octopus tarte was a specialty of Sete. Not sure I want to try it :-)
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mustertal Dec 5, 2007 at 1:05 PM

I've bye passed Sete many times, I must stop off and visit. Lovely pages .
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titabell Nov 28, 2007 at 11:41 AM

Your birthday is upcoming! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY in advance!
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pfsmalo Oct 18, 2007 at 8:39 AM

Thanks for your kind comment. Been looking at your Sete pages. Haven't been there for over 35 years !! Lovely photos and some good tips. Paul