All experiences

Festive meals are the ideal occasion to sublimate the riches of our land. Advice, recipe ideas, here are our top 5 local products to have on your table at the end of the year! 1 - Oysters from the Thau basin Their iodine perfume and their characteristic nutty taste make us melt all year round, but it is in the heart of winter that they are at their best. Produced in Bouzigues, Mèze and Marseillan, Thau oysters are an essential part of our festive meals, let's face it! Raw, they go very well with a simple lemon juice, but can also be eaten with a shallot sauce or with a dash of balsamic vinegar, olive oil and a turn of the pepper mill. Gratinated, they go wonderfully well with parsley butter, but also with a white wine or leek-based sauce.   Don't hesitate to ask ...

This morning, direction Frontignan-Plage for a walk along the ponds to contemplate the ballet of the birds. I learned at the Tourist Office that many species gravitate there all year round (more than 130) and that the spectacle is breathtaking, especially in spring, during the migratory period. The best time to go is early in the morning at sunrise, when the colours on the pond and the shadows of the flamingos will immerse you in a special atmosphere. But first of all, what is birdwatching? It is a new tourist activity that comes from our English neighbours who are very fond of nature, fauna and flora. In France, we call it "birdwatching". It's a photographic hike, which will also delight those who love beautiful pictures. I've been doing it for a few years now and I'm kind ...

A trip to the edge of the desert, or more precisely to the Gardiole massif and the edge of the Thau lagoon... This is the experience you can enjoy during your holidays in the Archipelago with the Dromasud farm in Frontignan!  On the back of a dromedary  Accompanied by your child or alone on your saddle, your eyes lost on the sea, the Aresquiers wood, the salt marshes, the ponds and the famous Muscat vineyards, you are about to experience an unusual moment on the back of a camel in the company of Cécile.  During 1 hour (ride) or 2h30 (course), you will walk through the Gardiole massif and will be rocked by Cécile's passion for dromedaries as well as her love for the region that she has been walking since 2010, when she created the Dromasud association with Coralie....

By Paul - July 2019 My holidays are starting, and starting well in fact! I take the beautiful road between Vic-la-Gardiole and Frontignan-plage, it disconnects me directly. All around me: ponds, the Mediterranean, pink flamingos... A beautiful discovery! Direction the marina. I stop at the Tourist Office to know the good plans of the inhabitants. Where to eat? Where to have a drink? And where to find a nice place to buy and read a good book? I am not disappointed, Johanne tells me that in July and August there is a beach library and assures me that it is quiet. I'm intrigued and why not! I put on my swimming costume and went to read by the sea. I walk along the sailboats and other motorboats, towards the beach of the municipal nautical centre (west port beach). There's ...

Walks in the salt marshes or in the heart of the garrigue, observation of insects and birds, visits to vineyards... These are all experiences that the Tourist Office offers you during a "Nature outing".  Discovery of emblematic places Whether you are a connoisseur of the wilderness that makes up the Thau Archipelago or an initiate, each "Nature outing" is a great opportunity for you to learn more about the history, fauna and flora that make up the archipelago. We invite you to meet us near the Occitan villages of Balaruc-les-Bains, Frontignan and Loupian to (re)discover the terraces of the Gardiole, the old salt marshes, the Aresquiers wood, the abbey of Saint-Félix, the gulf of Aigues-Mortes... So, open your eyes wide so as not to miss anything of the landscapes of the ...

My wife Martine, my two children Hugo and Chloé, and myself, decided to go on holiday this summer to Frontignan. During the holidays, the water sports centre offers activities for young and old. The only rule is to know how to swim. We are reassured to see them go with qualified instructors. You can do Stand up Paddle, Yoga Paddle, windsurfing, sailing, diving, canoeing. Not easy to choose. We signed up our son for a week's canoeing course and our daughter for an Optimist course. The children were delighted, they were well supervised and discovered the pleasure of group activities. They felt empowered and as a bonus, they had a great time! The team that welcomed us was professional and friendly! It is certain that children and parents will be delighted to participate! Every...

At the gates of Montpellier, in the middle of the Aleppo pines, lulled by the song of the cicadas, here you are galloping with your hair blowing in the wind on a real Camargue horse... Has this introduction given you ideas for your next holiday in the Thau Archipelago? Head for the riding centre along the Aresquiers road in Vic-la-Gardiole to enjoy this unique experience in the Aresquiers woods. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, come and explore the ponds of Vic-la-Gardiole, Ingril and even the old salt marshes of Frontignan on horseback or on a pony for the little ones. But first, a bit of history about the place you are about to discover!   The Aresquiers wood Lost between the lagoons of Vic-la-Gardiole and Ingril, on the edge of the sea and the salt ...

No matter which destination you have chosen for your holiday in the Thau archipelago, we invite you to take advantage of these few days to get away from it all and discover the 14 communes that make up our destination.  You can also find more information in our magazine.   Balaruc-le-Vieux Set on a hillock, the village dominates the creek of the corner with a view on the lagoon. A medieval village wrapped in its ramparts, which magnifies the past. We love to get lost in its narrow streets. Discover Balaruc-le-Vieux   Balaruc-les-Bains The first spa in France, Louis Bonaparte already came here for a cure in the 19th century! People come here to enjoy the benefits of its thermal waters, but also to stroll through the flowery alleys of the Mediterranean Ant...

By Pauline - May 2019 This morning it's Saturday, market day, and we're heading to the Halles de Frontignan. I stroll through the alleys of the city centre, caught by the good smells of the different stalls. Sweet, salty, food or drink, you can find everything you need to prepare a good meal. I stop at a farmer's stall and decide to buy a nice rabbit for my family meal the next day. I am not a cook and ask the shopkeeper for advice on how to cook the rabbit. A connoisseur and proud of his region, he suggests marinating my meat in the local muscatel. I take out a paper, a pencil and note down his precious advice before continuing my search for the ingredients of this famous recipe. I end my quest with the essential ingredient: the famous Muscat de Frontignan! A bottle reco...

With 25 kilometres of fine sandy beaches, you are bound to find the ideal beach for you in the Thau Archipelago! ACCESSIBLE  THE BEACH FOR ALL All the seaside towns in the Thau Archipelago have beaches with walkways and Tiralos® (wheelchairs available at the lifeguard posts) adapted for bathing for people with motor disabilities, but only the beach at Balaruc-les-Bains has the Audioplage® system, which allows people with visual impairments to swim freely, independently and in optimum safety conditions. Balaruc-les-Bains is also one of the few French towns to have been awarded the national Destination for All label, recognising the spa's commitment to overall accessibility for people with disabilities. FAMILY NEVER WITHOUT MY CLANS  There is no shortage of family be...

In the Thau Archipelago, there are two ways to eat with your feet in the water: one, facing the lagoon, around a shellfish tasting, the other, facing the sea, in a straw hut. I've been told about both of these local experiences, and I wonder which I'll prefer... Act 1: Shellfish tasting in front of the lagoon Here I am! Here I am at last between Bouzigues and Loupian, the view is breathtaking: the glittering blue of the water and the oyster beds as far as the eye can see... I can even see Sète and its famous Mont Saint-Clair in the distance. Producers offering to taste mussels and oysters from the lagoon, that's not what is missing here! I choose a producer with a singing accent, whose place of production has been tastefully fitted out for tasting. I am warmly welcom...

What better way to (re)discover the Thau Archipelago, its towns and monuments through a treasure hunt during your family holiday? This is the experience you can have in Sète, Villeveyrac, Frontignan-Plage or Balaruc-les-Bains. Don't wait any longer!   Barberoussette: the treasure hunt for young and old (Sète) According to legend, the famous pirate Barberoussette was active in the maritime city at the end of the 16th century and hid his treasure there. Even today, many adventurers have tried to find it... Without success! Fortunately for you, the pirate left several pieces of the map that allow you to find his riches in Sète. But before you can hope to find them all, you will have to solve several riddles related to the monuments and history of Sète. Go to the tour...

Mireval and Vic-la-Gardiole are full of treasures to discover during your stay: the Aresquiers wood; the Aresquiers beach; the Belle Dame estate... To help you with your programme, we've put together a list of must-sees with a little bonus!

For a prestigious and luxurious stay, the Archipelago of Thau is the place to go for your next holiday. Here, you can expect a thousand and one top-of-the-range experiences in beautiful accommodation, restaurants....  The Miramar villa Facing the Mediterranean, with its back to the Thau basin, this is the setting that awaits you at the Villa Miramar! Located in Frontignan, this exceptional guest house, with its 5 "épis" rating from the Gîtes de France, offers four rooms and an unusual cabin, all of which open onto the sea, as well as numerous services and facilities that will make your prestigious stay unforgettable. You can, for example, take advantage of the 17-metre long heated infinity pool to take a dip before enjoying your cocktail on the immersed terrace, o...

Since our arrival in Frontignan, we have taken advantage of the holidays to wander through the garrigue and the old salt pans. Now it's time to discover the seaside activities! The nautical centre offers paddle Pilates and paddle fitness classes. So I took the opportunity to try this first activity. What is Pilates? The appointment is made on a Thursday morning for a one hour session with the nautical centre of Frontignan. But before telling you about this discovery, let's go back to the concept of Pilates. Founded in 1920 by Joseph Pilates in New York, the Pilates method is a discipline that aims to strengthen the deep muscles responsible for posture. Pilates is a kind of physical training method that is inspired by yoga, dance and gentle gymnastics. The two key words in ...

A 7-kilometre long strip of sand bordered by the Mediterranean Sea and almost 320 days of sunshine a year, that's the setting that awaits you in Frontignan-Plage. The seaside resort even has one of the major assets of the Thau Archipelago: a transparent beach that is almost deserted... So many reasons to go to this charming town! The Lido beaches Situated to the north-east of Sète, the seaside resort benefits from an exceptional geographical situation between the sea, ponds and garrigues and offers as many beautiful sandy and pebble beaches on either side of the marina, which have been awarded the Blue Flag for over 25 years. You can choose between Port Ouest, Port Est, Les Plaisanciers, Le Grau, La Bergerie, l'Entrée or the Aresquiers beach.The Aresquiers beach An a...

By Valerie - May 2019 For a change from the beach, I suggested to my children an unusual visit offered by the Tourist Office: the old salt pans. I registered us on their website, paid online directly via the ticket office and received my tickets on my smartphone. On the day of the walk, we are provided with a cap, water bottle and camera. The guide waits for us on the car park of the Salle de l'Aire, with the other registered participants, to take us to the starting point. There, information and explanations are given on an information board. We start the walk and Laurent already stops, putting his binocular on the ground: there is a group of pink flamingos with their young, which are grey, so we observe them and take pictures, it is great! We start walking again, the next ...

The unmissable Muscat de Frontignan in a cocktail version! Summer means heat and therefore aperitif on the terrace accompanied by the inevitable glass of Muscat Frontignan.  Would you like to innovate a little? To add a little freshness? Without spoiling our good summer wine? I suggest you try a cocktail recipe: the Muscat- Spritz, ideal to face the hot temperatures of the Thau Lagoon. A little advice for a good Muscat tasting: It is usually drunk chilled as an aperitif, as an accompaniment to a dish or starter (especially spicy meats such as duck breast or foie gras), but also as a dessert with fruit or cheese. You should know that it keeps very well for several months, even when opened, in the refrigerator.Recipe for "Muscat Spritz  Perfect for an aperitif with ...

Summer is shaping up to be beautiful, hot and long... the perfect recipe for a lovely evening with friends or family. But what about spicing things up with an unusual experience at sunset? That's what we've come up with in this top list of things to do at dusk! Kayakmed  We're off to a great start with a sea kayaking excursion on the Bassin de Thau. But before you take to the water with your paddle, let your instructor tell you what's in store for you on this tour with the evocative name "Sun Sète" (6-9pm). Once you've been introduced to the water, you can finally head off in the direction of Les Thocs, a real lagoon in Languedoc. It's here that you can watch the sunset while sipping a glass of local Muscat. Find out more here. A little extra: Kayakmed has been awarded ...

There's nothing like the warmth of a tasty dish to cheer you up when the temperatures drop! Our local specialities, mostly based on fish and seafood, are ideal for indulging yourself while eating locally.  Cuttlefish rust  This is a speciality with a reputation that is well established! Melting pieces of cuttlefish, dipped in a simmering tomato sauce and bound with a delicious aioli... To be enjoyed with potatoes, rice or tagliatelle. A dish whose finesse and flavours will make you fall over, to be discovered in all the good restaurants of the Thau Archipelago.  Stuffed squid  Squid? What's that? They are in fact small squids whose tube (i.e. the body without the tentacles) measures between 8 and 14 centimetres.   Delicately stuffed with a mixture of sausage...

By Ludivine - June 2019 Located under the halles just behind the town hall, Frontignan's market remains a must-see place to stock up on local produce. It's Saturday morning and we start our Mediterranean holiday with a trip to the market in the heart of the seaside resort. Strolling around the covered market We start by strolling around the covered market where many stalls are set up in front of the halls. There are a few fairground vendors and craftsmen unpacking all sorts of goods, from wicker baskets to brightly coloured scarves and small manufactured goods. As we approach the halls, we are attracted by the scent of Mediterranean spices: oregano, basil, cinnamon, coriander and Provençal herbs... I can't resist these beautiful black olives in marinade which will be ...

By Marie - July 2019   During our summer holidays in Frontignan, we go for an initiation to scuba diving on the plateau of Aresquiers. The "Baptême duo" formula proposed by the diving centre is an excellent opportunity to get into the water! Meeting at the club Plongée Passion on the port of Frontignan On this Wednesday in July, we meet in the early afternoon at the diving centre located on the east bank of the port of Frontignan. We are welcomed by Pierre and Stéphanie who will be our instructors for this first scuba dive at a depth of 6 meters. Although I was very enthusiastic about the idea of discovering the underwater world of the Mediterranean Sea, I must admit that I was a bit stressed. But the team of instructors quickly put me at ease and I listen carefully...

From the foothills of the Gardiole to the shores of the Thau lagoon, here more than anywhere else the vineyards reflect their past. Sun-drenched clay-limestone soils, a combination of wind and a favourable micro-climate, this was all it took for the Etruscans, Greeks and Romans to invest in this terroir and plant vines here. Two millennia later, one of the oldest vineyards in France continues its wine odyssey. A long maturation Sète was still an uninhabited mountain when, in 1666, Louis XIV ordered the construction of a port to facilitate the export of wine throughout Europe. The area produced mainly white wine. Until then, vines had been confined to the plateaux, but they were soon planted on the plains and ended up producing high yields of poor quality wine: a red wave ...