Visiting Sète: what to see, what to do and best addresses

The city of Sète is located on the Archipel de Thau in the Hérault department, in Occitanie. A true Mediterranean jewel between land and sea, this area is nestled between the open sea and vast expanses of scrubland, where water is omnipresent, oscillating between lagoons, the Mediterranean, and ponds. Sète is a city resting on water, featuring canals, picturesque neighborhoods, colorful facades, and a bustling fishing port (in fact, the 8th largest port in France). Often nicknamed the “little Venice of Languedoc,” this city has a strong soul and a unique identity: here, octopus is king, affectionately called “pouffre” in Occitan.

We went to discover this destination with my favorite photographer for the first time in September 2025, and we were enchanted by this city of art and culture, which is home to over 400 artists who live and work there. It indeed offers a rich cultural program all year round. The surrounding area of the Thau archipelago is also very famous for its shellfish farming (oyster breeding) and winemaking, and I will tell you more about it in another article. Below, as usual, I offer you a small selection of things to do and see if you come spend a stay in Sète.

You will also find in the 2nd part of my article my selection of great addresses (accommodation, market halls, and several restaurants) that we had the opportunity to test during our getaway. It’s the ideal opportunity to taste local specialties such as the famous tielle (an octopus pie with a slightly spicy tomato sauce), macaronade, or monkfish bourride!

Marine cemetery on Mont Saint-Clair overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Sète.

Vintage poster depicting Sète, sea baths, a fishmonger, and sailboats at the Espace Paul Valéry.

Decorative fishing boat named Le Grondin fleuri in the fishing neighborhood of La Pointe Courte in Sète.

Panorama from Mont Saint-Clair over the Thau lagoon and Sète oyster farms.

Stencil painting by Nicolas Diolez representing a blue bird against a background of stylized floral motifs in Sète.

Motorboat sailing on the canal in front of the historic facades and terraces of Sète.

Tree-lined pedestrian square with a café terrace and passersby in downtown Sète by Nicolas Diolez.

Bollard painted as a cartoon character located in La Pointe Courte, Sète.

Stone facade of Saint-Louis church in Sète with its bell tower, clock, and large wooden portal.

Sailboats and motorboats moored at the Sète marina with the lighthouse in the background.

Traditional fishing nets and glass floats hanging in the La Pointe Courte neighborhood in Sète.

Practical Information

Getting there by train from Paris: About 4 hours by train from Paris Gare de Lyon station (via direct TGV or Ouigo).

What to see and do in Sète?

To discover the soul of the city (as is often the case), I strongly recommend going for a walk on foot, particularly along the canals to admire the colorful facades and trawlers. Sète is truly a city turned towards the water, but it is also a city that breathes art in all its forms, as you will see below.

Sète Tourist Office – Thau Archipelago
60 Grand rue Mario-Roustan, 34200 Sète
Link to the tourist office website

Visiting La Pointe Courte

This is Sète’s emblematic fishing neighborhood, bordered by the canals and the Thau lagoon, where you can still find a few fishermen’s shacks and flowered cottages. It has remained very authentic and unique, even though only 5 fishermen are still active there today (fishing and shellfish farming activities). This neighborhood became legendary after the filmmaker Agnès Varda dedicated a self-titled film to it in 1954, considered a precursor to the French New Wave. It is the perfect place to go for a stroll, wander around, have a drink, or even eat fresh oysters (note that tastings only take place during the summer season). And if you are a fan of street art, you will also see beautiful painted walls there.

Traditional fishing boats moored in the picturesque port of La Pointe Courte in Sète under a blue sky.

Narrow and picturesque alley in the La Pointe Courte neighborhood in Sète with its colorful houses.

Wooden sign reading Huîtres de Bouzigues with a decorative smiling sun on a blue wall in La Pointe Courte.

Woman sitting on a painted mooring bollard in La Pointe Courte in Sète, near a tourist information sign.

Artistic decorations and humorous signs at the La Pointe Courte fishing port in Sète.

Lifebuoy hanging on a wooden wall in the maritime district of La Pointe Courte in Sète.

Fishing boats moored in the picturesque neighborhood of La Pointe Courte in Sète, beneath shaded pine trees.

House in La Pointe Courte in Sète with a mural depicting sailors on a boat.

Chez Taillole decorative signs and humorous inscriptions in a typical fisherman's shack in La Pointe Courte, Sète.

Large mural depicting a ship on the facade of a house in the La Pointe Courte neighborhood in Sète.

Colorful mural depicting the character Agnes in the La Pointe Courte neighborhood in Sète.

La Pointe Courte Neighborhood
Free and open access

Take a Mini Boat Ride on the Canals

For an original activity, I recommend taking a tour of Sète via the canals with the Mini Boat team. Virginie and Loïc Di Marco offer a 45-minute guided eco-tour cruise to discover the city along the water. These are supervised discovery rides aboard a fleet of electric mini-boats with a lovely Riva look. These single-seater boats (accessible without a license) are super easy to handle, silent, eco-friendly, and 100% made in France. It’s completely suitable and a lot of fun for children as well.

Smiling couple standing on a dock near a Miniboat in the Sète canal.

Yellow sailboat docked in the port of Sète, surrounded by numerous boat masts under a blue sky.

Miniboat sailing in the port of Sète next to trawlers under a sunny blue sky.

Smiling woman steering a MiniBoat electric boat during a guided water tour in Sète.

Woman cruising on a MiniBoat electric boat in the Sète canal with buildings in the background.

Woman wearing a life jacket at the controls of a wooden miniboat in the port of Sète.

Person aboard an electric Miniboat navigating the port of Sète with a seagull in flight.

Miniboat Sète
Pont de la Civette, 34200 Sète (Cadre Royal base)
Price: from €35 for the 45-min experience in low season (ages 14 and up) / Family Tour experience for children aged 2 and up
Link to the Mini Boat website

Gain Height at Mont Saint-Clair

On the heights of the city stands Mont Saint-Clair, the city’s hill, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the lagoon, the city, the port, and the pond. This is also where very beautiful villas are hidden, in the city’s most expensive neighborhood. You can get there on foot (beware, though, it’s a good climb as it’s quite steep) or by car to enjoy a wonderful landscape reading from the belvedere. You will discover the famous Marine Cemetery (which has existed since the 17th century with its magnificent plunging view of the sea), and right next to it, don’t miss going to take a look at the astonishing 1950s frescoes of the Notre-Dame de la Salette chapel (which dates back to the 19th century). Along your route, you can also enjoy the BAM (Artistic Walks in the Mediterranean).

Panoramic view of the city of Sète and the Thau lagoon from Mont Saint-Clair.

Bronze sculpture on Mont Saint-Clair in Sète, surrounded by a landscaped path under a blue sky.

Marine cemetery on Mont-Saint-Clair in Sète overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

Woman admiring the panorama of the city of Sète and its port from the top of Mont-Saint-Clair.

Notre-Dame de la Salette chapel at the top of Mont Saint-Clair in Sète with visitors at the entrance.

Mont Saint-Clair & Marine Cemetery
Free and open access to the belvedere

Sète, City of Culture and its Museums

We quickly understood, Sète is a city turned towards the arts and offers several very interesting cultural visit opportunities with traditional or more original options.

Culture good deal: a pass allows you to access 5 cultural sites at the reduced rate of €15 per person. It will open the doors to the Paul Valéry Museum, the Chapelle du Quartier Haut, the Museum of the Sea, the Espace Georges-Brassens, and the MIAM (unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit all these places).

Visitors entering a gallery in Sète in front of a mural with posters from the Humaines Fragilités exhibition.

Model boat displayed at Espace Paul Valéry, photographed by Nicolas Diolez.

Visit the Paul Valéry Museum

The Paul Valéry Museum, located on the heights of Mont Saint-Clair, is the city’s municipal fine arts museum. It took the name of Paul Valéry (a poet born in Sète and buried in the Marine Cemetery located right next door, which actually took the title of his most famous poem) in 1970, following two donations made by Jeannie Valéry in 1948 and 1949. The poet was indeed also an art lover and an accomplished artist who practiced drawing, painting, engraving, and sculpture.

Blooming bougainvillea outside in front of the facade of Espace Paul Valéry.

Facade of the Paul Valéry Museum in Sète, surrounded by a landscaped garden, during a cultural visit to Sète.

Painting by Couderc depicting a water jousting tournament in the port with spectators, exhibited at Espace Paul Valéry.

Visitors strolling among classical paintings in the galleries of Espace Paul Valéry.

Impressionist painting depicting two traditional boats with rowers in the port at Espace Paul Valéry.

Framed abstract etching by Pierre Alechinsky exhibited at Espace Paul Valéry, composed of ink-drawn boxes.

Contemporary art exhibition at Espace Paul Valéry featuring sculptures and colorful paintings on white walls.

Impressionist painting depicting traditional boats at the port in front of colorful houses at Espace Paul Valéry.

Gallery of Espace Paul Valéry exhibiting artistic works with a view of a garden and cliff.

Paul Valéry Museum
148 rue Françoise Desnoyer 34200 Sète
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Price: regular rate (during exhibitions) €9.90 / reduced rate €5.30 (students and ages 10-18); regular rate (excluding exhibitions) €6.20 / reduced rate €3.70 (students and ages 10-18)
The good deal: free access for everyone on the 1st Sunday of each month
Link to the museum’s website

Visit the International Museum of Modest Arts

Sète is home to other emblematic cultural sites that we recommend visiting, such as the MIAM (Musée International des Arts Modestes) located along the quays. This place was founded by artists Hervé Di Rosa and Bernard Belluc, and the museum opened its doors in November 2000, in partnership with the city of Sète. It settled into a former wine cellar, renovated by architect Patrick Bouchain. This project is both a museum and a laboratory, a pioneer of artistic territories, open to artists of all generations and backgrounds. It is truly a fascinating place, and we were very pleasantly surprised by the museography and the very modern approach of the venue.

During our visit, we were able to discover a very interesting temporary exhibition entitled “Superbemarché, Papiers d’agrumes & co.” (from April 11, 2025, to March 8, 2026), focusing on citrus fruit wrappers from their origins to the present day.

Artistic poster exhibited at MIAM by Nicolas Diolez, titled Le Parrain, surrounded by diamond patterns marked Maroc and UMC.

Woman observing a wall covered with numerous colorful fruit crate labels at MIAM in Sète.

Hanging promotional plastic bags during an exhibition at MIAM in Sète, featuring logos of Lyon businesses.

Pyramid composed of balls wrapped in colorful papers bearing various inscriptions at the MIAM museum in Sète.

Collection of 90s nostalgic items including Hélène et les garçons, Batman, Pogs, and retro candy wrappers.

Papillotages exhibition at MIAM in Sète with colorful posters and explanatory texts on the walls.

Facade of MIAM in Sète with a poster for the Superbe Marché exhibition from April 11, 2025, to March 8, 2026.

Artistic installation at MIAM in Sète by Nicolas Diolez, consisting of a suspended gas cylinder and miscellaneous objects.

Visitors in the exhibition spaces of MIAM in Sète, including suspended works and graphic collections on the wall.

MIAM (International Museum of Modest Arts)
23 quai Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 34200 Sète
Prices: €5.60 / €2.60 reduced (students and ages 10-18)
The good deal: free access for everyone on the 1st Sunday of each month
Link to the museum’s website

Visit the Molière Theatre

We also had the chance to discover the Molière Theatre during Heritage Days. This theatre, inaugurated in 1904, is a majestic national stage. It was an opportunity to discover the balconies, galleries, and backstage areas of this splendid French-style theatre.

Facade of the Molière Theatre of Sète with its classic columns, sculptures, and cultural show posters.

High-angle view of the Sète theatre hall with its painted ceiling and red balconies.

Guided tour of the historic hall of the Sète Theatre with its large chandelier and red balconies.

Interior of the Sète Theatre with central chandelier, tables, and chairs arranged in a classically decorated lobby.

Large golden chandelier above the red seats of the Sète Theatre hall.

Théâtre Molière
Avenue Victor Hugo 34200 Sète
Price: guided backstage tour for 8 € organized by the tourist office (on specific dates)
Link to the theater’s website

Visiting the MaCO (Open Sky Museum)

The MaCO is Sète’s Open Sky Museum, and its many street-art frescoes dot the city’s walls, waiting to be discovered as you wander around (which is what we did anyway). You’ll find works by street artists invited every year to the famous K-Live Street Art Festival (blending urban art, contemporary art, and modern music), which has been around since 2008! Be sure not to miss Rue de Tunis, which features some truly stunning pieces. You can easily pick up a free MaCO map at the tourist office to plan your own artistic itinerary.

Artistic mural depicting the portrait of a pensive elderly man in the streets of Sète by Nicolas Diolez.

Colorful pirate wall graffiti in Sète with a high table and stools on a terrace.

Cat painted on a concrete curb in Sète, street art by Nicolas Diolez.

A woman walks through a narrow, colorful alleyway with street art murals in Sète.

Woman walking in a narrow street of Sète in front of a colorful mural representing a female face.

Large mural representing fantastic and surreal creatures on the facade of a building in Sète.

Abstract and geometric mural by artist Goddog representing a stylized landscape on a wall in Sète.

MaCO Sète
Map available at the Tourist Office

Attend the Languedoc Jousting Tournaments

If you happen to be visiting Sète at the right time of year, this is a true local institution! We got a little taste of Languedoc water jousting (among other things) on the canals (around the Cadre Royal) during the grand gathering of the Joutes de France, which happened to take place the weekend we visited Sète in 2025. It is very impressive to watch, and from what we gathered, the atmosphere is always electric!

Jousters on a traditional boat during a water jousting demonstration in the canal of Sète.

Female jouster on a boat during a traditional water jousting tournament in the port of Sète.

Jousters in traditional attire on a boat during water jousting in the canal of Sète.

Cadre Royal
Canals of Sète (city center)

My favorite places in Sète

As usual, I’m sharing my selection of favorite spots below, tested with my favorite photographer during our stay, whether you want to treat yourself to delicious local products or find a nice, budget-friendly place to stay right in the heart of Sète.

My favorite food spots in Sète

Where to buy a good tielle? Tiellerie Cianni Marcos

There are plenty of places that make tielles (THE must-try local specialty that you absolutely have to taste) in Sète. We only tried one, and even though we don’t really have a scale for comparison, it was definitely really good! This traditional tiellerie has been around since 1937, and here, the tielle crust is made with olive oil.

Tielles Cianni Marcos
24 rue Honoré Euzet / Halles Centrales, 34200 Sète
Price: large tielle for 13.80 €

Lunch at the Halles de Sète

Nothing beats a stroll through the Sète covered market to discover its local specialties. The place brings together the best regional products to enjoy right on site in the heart of the covered market (like we did), on a terrace, or to take away so you can bring a taste of Sète back home with you. A gourmet must-visit during any stay in Sète.

Facade of the Halles de Sète with its characteristic metal structure and a cafe terrace on the square.

Spice stall L'Épi-Cette inside the Halles de Sète with customers and merchants.

Customers inside the Halles de Sète in front of the Épicure gourmet grocery store and a local fishmonger.

Halles et Manger

As for us, we had lunch at Halles et Manger. Special mention goes to chef Magali, who offers a flavorful menu proudly showcasing fine regional produce. We tried: for starters, the fried anchovies (13.50 €) and the octopus salad (12 €); for mains, the fish and chips and the squid strips and chorizo with seasonal vegetables (18 €); and for dessert, the fruit tart of the day (7 €).

Potato and octopus salad served in a plate at the Halles de Sète.

Bottle of Domaine de Monthélys 2023 white wine and wine glass on a table at the Halles de Sète.

Counter and menu of the Halles et Manger restaurant in the Halles de Sète, a must-visit spot to taste local specialties.

Friendly atmosphere in the Halles de Sète with tables set in front of the La Banane des Filles stand.

Octopus salad served in a jar at the Halles de Sète with a lemon wedge and dipping sauce.

Woman seated at a table in the Halles de Sète enjoying a Mediterranean meal.

Two plates of prepared dishes at the Halles de Sète, with cutlery, a glass of wine, and illustrated placemats.

Hand holding a bottle of Un Temps Pour Elle wine, Appellation Languedoc Contrôlée, at the Halles de Sète.

Halles Centrales de Sète / Halles et Manger
8 rue Gambetta / 6 rue de Metz, 34200 Sète
Price: starters between 11 € and 15 € / mains between 18 € and 23 € / desserts between 5 € and 7 €
Reservation essential

Restaurant La Prohibition

This very cozy little restaurant is tucked away in a narrow street (known as “Rue des Prisons”) packed with great spots. During the warmer months, you can enjoy a lovely little terrace in the pedestrian street and attentive service. The chef offers a short menu and extremely well-executed, delicious cuisine. Not to mention their wonderful selection of local, organic, or natural wines to go with it all.

Bowl of velvety soup garnished with fruit, green oil, and black seeds, enjoyed at La Prohibition restaurant in Sète.

Waiter presenting two bottles of wine: Opus 2022 from Domaine de la Meunerie and Paroles Volcaniques in Sète.

Pork muzzle salad served on a decorated porcelain plate at La Prohibition restaurant in Sète.

Cozy interior of La Prohibition restaurant in Sète with tables, chairs, and a glowing neon sign.

Tagine dish with raisins, slivered almonds, and fresh herbs served at La Prohibition restaurant in Sète.

Woman enjoying a gourmet dish on the terrace of La Prohibition restaurant in Sète.

Tasting a gourmet dessert with crumble at La Prohibition restaurant in Sète.

White wine served in a glass at La Prohibition brasserie in Sète.

Restaurant La Prohibition
14 Rue André Portes, 34200 Sète
Price: starters between 9 € and 12 € / mains between 19 € and 25 € / desserts between 10 € and 12 €
Good deal: lunch set menu with starter + main + dessert for 28 € or starter + main and main + dessert for 23 €

Restaurant Paris Méditerranée

Another great Sète address that we recommend for treating yourself during your stay with authentic and flavorful cuisine. The restaurant also boasts a solid reputation with a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide and a score of 11/20 in Gault & Millau. It’s also a multifaceted venue, featuring a dining room that hosts art exhibitions. We were also lucky enough to eat in the lovely patio (though keep in mind that during the warmer months, you must book in advance and specify that you want to be seated in the patio).

What we tried: octopus minestrone; pan-fried squid with sobrassada and squid ink risotto; plancha-seared tuna with Moroccan-style coco beans; plum financier with verbena cream and sorbet.

Octopus salad, vegetables, and small pasta served in a bowl at Paris Méditerranée restaurant in Sète.

Woman wearing glasses enjoying a Mediterranean dish at the Paris-Méditerranée restaurant in Sète.

Rustic interior decorated with art, opening onto a lively restaurant terrace in Sète, photographed by Nicolas Diolez.

Art exhibition featuring paintings of the port of Sète and fireworks on a white wall.

Handheld bottle of Marche Avant white wine from Mas du Chêne estate in Sète.

Two glasses of wine, red and white, with the inscription La Zoom sur le vin, at the Paris-Méditerranée restaurant in Sète.

Grilled fish fillet served with white beans and cherry tomatoes in a deep plate.

Interior of Paris Méditerranée restaurant in Sète with red banquettes and wooden tables, warm and bright atmosphere.

Shelves decorated with wine bottles, books, glasses, and a Ricard pitcher at Paris-Méditerranée restaurant Sète.

Interior of Paris-Méditerranée restaurant in Sète with wooden tables, red chairs, and a decorative ceiling chandelier.

Golden oven-baked fruit cake served with a scoop of melting ice cream at Paris Méditerranée restaurant in Sète.

Restaurant Paris Méditerranée
47 rue Pierre Semard 34200 Sète
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Price: starter + main or main + dessert menu 35 € / starter + main + dessert 42 € / tasting menu 65 € per person / wines by the glass between 6 € and 8 €

Where to stay in Sète? Georges Hostel

For our stay, we dropped our bags at Georges Hostel. This accommodation is ideally located right in the city center of Sète, which is super convenient for exploring the city on foot and fully enjoying the atmosphere of the canals and alleys! It’s a youth hostel that offers dormitory beds as well as budget-friendly private rooms. The vibe is really nice, and it offers great value for money right in the heart of Sète. The buffet breakfast (8 €) is simple but practical to start the day off right!

Cozy lounge area with wooden tables, banquettes, and large windows at Georges Hostel in Sète.

Urban mural in Sète depicting a diver and a flowered underwater window, signed Aude B, on a terrace.

Woman reading a book in an elegant room at Georges Hostel in Sète featuring panoramic wallpaper.

Wooden table and chairs on the balcony of Georges Hostel in Sète, facing Haussmann-style architecture.

Double room with comfortable bed, wooden nightstands, and tropical panoramic wallpaper at Georges Hostel Sète.

Relaxation area at Georges Hostel in Sète with banquettes, rattan chairs, and concert posters on the wall.

Metallic spiral staircase in an inner courtyard in Sète, photographed by Nicolas Diolez.

Woman having breakfast at Georges Hostel in Sète in front of a colorful mural.

Georges Hostel
8 Rue Gabriel Péri, 34200 Sète
Price: private double room with bathroom starting from 85 € per night / mixed dormitory bed starting from 33.15 €
Link to the accommodation’s website
Book your stay

What to do around Sète?

Cycling getaway around the Thau Archipelago

If you want to extend your stay in Sète and explore the surrounding area, I recommend planning a bike ride around the Étang de Thau. By taking the Voie Verte du Lido, which connects Sète to Marseillan, you’ll discover the preserved landscapes and biodiversity of the Thau Archipelago. On the agenda for this gentle nature tour: watching flamingos in the marshes, a historical tour of the famous Maison Noilly Prat, and a must-do gourmet stop to taste ultra-fresh oysters facing the lagoon, in Bouzigues or Mèze. To plan your itinerary and find all my favorite addresses (including a great electric bike rental shop), check out my full article on our bike getaway around the Thau Archipelago!

About a 25-minute drive from Sète heading down the coast, you can also visit Cap d’Agde and its Grande Conque beach. And for another nature walk in the Hérault hinterland, I also recommend our itinerary along the Passa Païs greenway.

Cyclist on a wooden footbridge in the middle of a natural landscape between Marseillan and Mèze.

Two Maison Noilly Prat vermouth tasting glasses held by hands in Marseillan.

Flamingos feeding in a pond between Marseillan and Mèze, surrounded by reed beds.

Thanks to the Sète – Thau Archipelago Tourist Office and Sabrina from Hérault Tourisme for organizing this wonderful stay to discover the city of Sète.

Panorama of the city of Sète and its port from the top of Mont Saint-Clair.

I hope all this has made you want to visit Sète, and if you also have your own favorite spots and tips for this destination, feel free to share them in the comments below!

Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez
Photos not royalty-free, photographer's permission required prior to any use

This article contains affiliate links. If you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.