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 ¥9,515 per night from May 23 to May 24
¥9,515
per night
May 23 - May 24
Stay at this hotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions International Museum of Arts Modestes and Halles ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (397 reviews)
"Reasonable prices, courteous staff"

Reviewed on Sep 5, 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 ¥17,049 per night from May 19 to May 20
¥17,049
per night
May 19 - May 20
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! (205 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 Dec 5, 2023

Hôtel Port Marine - Sète
Hotel de Paris
Hotel de Paris
3 out of 5
2 rue Frederic Mistral, Sète, Herault
The price is ¥16,637 per night from May 25 to May 26
¥16,637
per night
May 25 - May 26
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (402 reviews)
"The staff was friendly, helpful, and professional!"

Reviewed on Apr 3, 2024

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 residence in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Plage de la Fontaine and Plage de la Corniche are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (159 reviews)
"Apartment style with convenience of hotel reception."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2023

Résidence Odalys Terra Gaïa
Les Clés Secrètes
Les Clés Secrètes
11 Quai de la République, Sète, Hérault
Stay at this aparthotel in Sète. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions International Museum of Arts Modestes and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (6 reviews)
Great location, tall ceilings, comfortable room.
"Great stay—highly recommend. Very helpful and friendly hotel staff (all remote and very quick to respond). Well appointed room. Tall, airy space. Great location to walk around Sete. Interior room was very quiet and relaxing. Would stay again."

Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024

Les Clés Secrètes
Charming house on Mont Saint Clair in Sète. 2 ch for 4-6 pers
Charming house on Mont Saint Clair in Sète. 2 ch for 4-6 pers
Sète
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Sète. Enjoy private pools, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions Paul Valery Museum and Theatre ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (39 reviews)
Worth the climb, every time...
"This a a wonderful place to stay, very comfortable in all areas, plenty of outside furniture around the pool. It's quite a climb up from the town (conversely an easy downhill walk into town which takes 10 mins). The upper terrace offers a wonderful view of the whole bay, the beach is an easy bus ..."

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2023

Charming house on Mont Saint Clair in Sète. 2 ch for 4-6 pers
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.

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Reviews of Sète

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2
" "5 - Excellent 33.333333333333336%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 16.666666666666668%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Jun 23, 2019

Awesome!

4/5 - Good

JPS
Apr 17, 2019

They have wonderful little seafood restaurants along the various canals.

Cities near Sète