Sète, France

“Sète is the most fascinating small town on the French Mediterranean coast precisely because it doesn’t go out of its way to be charming. It doesn’t have the time. This is an attractive – but serious – port full of working people with stuff to ship out and turbot to sell.

The site is wonderful. Sète encircles a lone hill, the Mont St-Clair, on the otherwise flat Languedoc coast. And it is all-but an island. There’s the sea out front, of course. Behind, though, is the Thau lagoon – a vast expanse of salt water, colonised by oyster- and mussel-beds. Between the two, a network of canals brings the scramble of port and fishing activity right into the town centre.

The canals both define the town and provide the current that energises the place. Many townsfolk have their own little boats to take them shopping. Anglers with apparently unlimited time on their hands line the banks and, come summer, the main Canal Royal is the theatre of Sète’s famous water-borne jousting. Sète is, in short, a swirl of a spot, with constant movement on land and canal.

It helps, of course, that Sète has the finest unsung beaches of the French Med – eight miles of them stretching along the spit of land separating the lagoon from the sea. An enormous scheme to tidy up access and the shore-side promenade is under way. But don’t wait. Go now to find the unfiltered boisterousness of the real Mediterranean. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Anthony Perigrine, Telegraph travel

More Stories

Polar explorer Jim McNeill leads an Ocean warrior planning meeting. A group poring over maps. Join the adventure through Classic Sailing

11/10 Climate Change

Science & Sailing: Ocean Warrior #Resolute Expeditions

I couldn’t praise the Linden crew highly enough, extremely professional, friendly and encouraged us to be part of the team. I’d sail on that

Read More

06/12 Announcing New Voyages

May Sailing – Wildlife rich and crowds free

Home Waters – Let a local skipper show you the secret spots A time for most vessels to showcase their home sailing grounds, before

Read More
wind in your hair - start of uk sailing season

Announcing New Voyages

April Sailing – Fresh New Season

The early bird catches the discount Ever eager to tempt you out at the beginning of the season, boats occasionally discount or offer affordable

Read More
Eye of the Wind with Classic Sailing

Announcing New Voyages

March Sailing Ideas – Trans Atlantic West – East Crossings

Where can I go sailing in March? March is the time of year to sail back across the North Atlantic Ocean, using the Westerlies

Read More