Sète

Travel Guide
Sete which includes street scenes and shopping
Stroll along the network of canals, retreat to nearby beaches and enjoy some of the finest seafood in France in this boisterous port city.

Sète is known as the “Venice of Languedoc” for its attractive system of canals, including the final stretch of the 150-mile (241-kilometer) Canal du Midi. Watch fishing boats vie for space as they weave around the maze of canals, learn about hometown heroes at local museums and eat seafood fresh from the nearby lagoon.

The town was founded in 1666 under orders from Louis XIV. Construction began on both the town and its port as an outlet for the Canal du Midi. Following the construction of the port, Sète thrived. To this day, it still plays an important role as a commercial fishing center.

Walk around the characterful 17th-century canals, many lined with pastel-colored buildings. Look for the Canal Royal, which hosts an annual water jousting tournament that sees two boats square off using lances.

Ascend Mont St-Clair hill by foot or take a bus or taxi to the summit to enjoy panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the Languedoc mountains. Look for the Musée Paul Valéry near the top. This museum is dedicated to the famous symbolist poet and essayist who was born in Sète.

To discover more about Sète’s famous residents, visit the Espace Georges Brassens, a museum that commemorates the Sète-born singer-songwriter. Pay your respects to Valéry and Brassens at their burial sites in Cimetiére Marin, a cemetery with spectacular views of the sea.

Spend an afternoon lounging on La Corniche beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. It is located about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) east of the old port. Back at the harbor area, choose from many seafood restaurants on the quay.

During late August, Sète hosts the annual Fête de la Saint-Louis, with water jousting competitions on the main canal.Sète’s nearest airports are Béziers and Montpellier. Both cities are connected to Sète by rail routes.

Sète is easy to navigate by foot. Reliable local buses can help you get the most out of this surprisingly lively and engaging city.

ibis budget Sète Centre
ibis budget Sète Centre
2 out of 5
164, Avenue du Marechal Juin, Sète
The price is S$82 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
S$82
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and onsite parking. Popular attractions International Museum of Arts Modestes and Halles de Sète are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (388 reviews)
"Reasonable prices, courteous staff"

Reviewed on 5 Sep,2023

ibis budget Sète Centre
Hôtel Port Marine - Sète
Hôtel Port Marine - Sète
3 out of 5
30, Promenade J-B Marty, Sète, Herault
The price is S$154 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$154
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the breakfast in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (195 reviews)
"Friendly front desk staff, nice location by the water. Older rooms but you can't really beat the location. Would stay again"

Reviewed on 5 Dec,2023

Hôtel Port Marine - Sète
Hotel de Paris
Hotel de Paris
3 out of 5
2 rue Frederic Mistral, Sète, Herault
The price is S$165 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
S$165
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (398 reviews)
Great front desk team.
"Room adequate, but very good service from the front desk team. Very helpful. Ideal location right by the waterfront. Private parking a real bonus."

Reviewed on 12 Sep,2023

Hotel de Paris
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Résidence Odalys Terra Gaïa
Résidence Odalys Terra Gaïa
4 out of 5
361 Boulevard Cerf Lurie, Sète, Herault
Stay at this 4-star residence in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Plage de la Fontaine and Plage de la Corniche ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (152 reviews)
"Apartment style with convenience of hotel reception."

Reviewed on 3 Jul,2023

Résidence Odalys Terra Gaïa
Les Suites The Marcel
Les Suites The Marcel
7 Quai Léopold Suquet, Sète, Hérault
Stay at this aparthotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Halles de Sète and International Museum of Arts Modestes ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (41 reviews)
Great location, pleasant room.
"A very nice room in a great location but a little smaller than expected — no place to sit other than the bed and stools at a counter."

Reviewed on 26 Sep,2023

Les Suites The Marcel
Les Clés Secrètes
Les Clés Secrètes
11 Quai de la République, Sète, Hérault
Stay at this aparthotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions International Museum of Arts Modestes and Halles de ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Great retreat in the middle of the old town. The room Bahia is big, nicely decorated, with huge windows and offers a very nice balcony. The charming building is located walking distance to the center. Laura is amazing. Very easy communication and ready to help. Highly recommend and ready to come ..."

Reviewed on 21 Sep,2023

Les Clés Secrètes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sète

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 20%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 60%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 20%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
1 Oct 2019

Found the immediate town area a little uninspiring but the walk up the Mont St Clair and over to the STUNNING beaches is wonderful. Wish I'd given myself more time here.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
26 Feb 2019

I came on on the ferry from Morocco. A convenient location for a one night stay.