Day Trip to Sete the Venice of the Languedoc, Sete, France

Sète nicknamed the “Venice of the Languedoc,” is a picturesque coastal town on France’s southern coast. It is a port city with a rich history that dates back to the early 17th century.

Founded in 1666 by King Louis XIV, the town is a strategic port linking the Mediterranean Sea to the Canal du Midi.

The town is famous for its canals, fresh seafood, and fun traditions, such as the annual “Fête de la Saint-Louis.”

I had visited Sète once before during a Viking Cruises trip from Barcelona to Rome, and I always hoped to return one day.

While house-sitting for two cats in Béziers, just a 30-minute train ride away, I realized Sète was the perfect day trip destination.

From Sète’s train station, it’s just a ten-minute walk to the town centre, where the canals and main attractions are located. The route is signposted, so you won’t get lost.

As I visited on a Friday, the walk from the station took me past the Friday market on Victor Hugo Avenue, which runs from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sète’s canals are its signature feature. Take a leisurely stroll along the Canal Royal, lined with colourful fishing boats, pastel-hued buildings and charming cafes.

Boat trips along the canals are possible from March to October, but not in the middle of January when I visited. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).