Private beaches Sète

Sète, nicknamed the Singular Island, is a seaside resort in the south of France that charms with its Mediterranean authenticity. Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Thau lagoon, this port city offers a unique blend of maritime traditions, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Its picturesque canals have earned it the nickname "Venice of Languedoc," while its long fine sandy beaches invite relaxation under the sun. From its fishing port to its rich cultural heritage, Sète is a destination that captivates visitors seeking an escape.

Discover the best private beaches of Sète

Let's start with the most beautiful private beaches of Sète, where comfort and exclusive ambiance await you.

La Ola

La Ola is one of the most iconic private beaches in Sète. The oldest beach restaurant in the city, this friendly beach hut offers Mediterranean cuisine rich in local flavors – fresh fish, seafood, and regional specialties – to enjoy with your feet in the sand. You will enjoy a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with comfortable wooden sunbeds facing the sea. Ideal for an afternoon of relaxation or a sunset with music, La Ola charms both locals and visiting guests.

La Canopée

La Canopée attracts with its modern setting and eco-friendly commitment. Ideally located on the Lido promenade, it offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean from its preserved space at the entrance of Sète. This private beach combines discreet luxury with environmental respect: sustainable furniture, renewable energy, and seasonal products are on the menu. Enjoy gourmet Mediterranean cuisine made with local products, comfortably seated on a plush sunbed. Between swimming, relaxing, and artisan cocktails, La Canopée offers a refined and relaxing experience by the water.

Le Cabanon de la Plage

Le Cabanon de la Plage lives up to its name: this bohemian-spirited private beach offers an authentic and relaxed atmosphere. In this idyllic setting, you can settle on mattresses shaded by beach hut parasols and experience Mediterranean holidays like a local. The menu highlights simple and flavorful regional dishes, such as grilled fish and shared tapas, all in a warm atmosphere. Here, time seems to stand still: between swims in crystal-clear water and naps in the shade, a change of scenery is guaranteed.

La Praïa

La Praïa is the must-visit address for partying with your feet in the sand in Sète. This trendy private beach stands out for its themed parties and daytime lounge atmosphere that transforms into an open-air club in the evening. On the agenda: DJ sets at sunset, creative cocktails, and fusion tapas for an exotic experience. Between swims, you can relax on comfortable beds, lulled by music and the sound of the waves. Perfect for those who love festive atmospheres, La Praïa promises lively days and memorable nights by the water.

Other iconic beaches of Sète

• - La Parenthèse: family-friendly ambiance and intimate setting, perfect for relaxing in tranquility while enjoying water activities.
• - La Voile Rouge: festive establishment renowned for its lively parties and inventive cuisine with your feet in the water.

So, ready to book your sunbed on one of Sète's private beaches? It's simple, choose your favorite private beach on MySunbed and make your reservation in just a few clicks!

Discover the best private beaches near Sète

The region around Sète also boasts exceptional private beaches in the vicinity.

La Pirogue (Frontignan)

Located at Frontignan-Plage, just minutes from Sète, La Pirogue is a friendly beach hut favored for its family atmosphere. You will find a wide selection of seafood specialties – fresh salads, shellfish, and grilled fish – to savor facing the waves. Its simple decor and warm welcome make it the ideal place to relax in simplicity, with your feet in the water, while enjoying the Languedoc sun.

Les Pieds dans l’Ô (Marseillan-Plage)

As its name suggests, this beach restaurant in Marseillan welcomes you literally with your feet in the water. Appreciated for its relaxed setting and horizon view, this spot offers traditional Mediterranean cuisine and excellent cocktails to enjoy on the beach. Sunbeds, parasols, and artisanal ice creams make it a perfect place for a day with family or friends, with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop.

Jungle Beach (Cap d’Agde)

In Cap d’Agde, a neighboring resort known for its summer animation, Jungle Beach stands out as one of the trendiest beach clubs. In an exotic decor of palm trees and huts, this club offers high-end services: Balinese beds, daytime DJ sets, fusion restaurant, and attentive beach service. The vast sandy beach of Cap d’Agde and its clear waters invite swimming, while the chic and festive atmosphere of Jungle Beach promises an unforgettable experience under the Occitan sun.

What to do in Sète?

The city of Sète is not limited to its beaches: many activities and discoveries await you.

Explore the canals of Sète by boat

Sète is crisscrossed by picturesque canals that have earned it the nickname Venice of Languedoc. Embark on a boat trip through the heart of the city to admire the colorful houses along the quays, fishing boats, and port activity. This ride offers a unique angle to discover the city from the water, between relaxation and culture, with perhaps a tasting of local white wine on board to perfect the experience.

Admire the view from Mont Saint-Clair

Rising to 175 meters, Mont Saint-Clair offers a 360° panorama of Sète, the sea, and the Thau lagoon. After a short ascent (by car or on foot for the more courageous) to the Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette chapel at the summit, you will be rewarded with an exceptional panoramic view. At the viewpoint, an orientation table helps you spot the surroundings: the Mediterranean coast, neighboring villages, and the endless blue expanses.

Taste Sète specialties at the Halles

It's impossible to visit Sète without trying its typical gastronomy. Head to the Halles de Sète, the central covered market, to savor a tielle sétoise (delicious spicy octopus pie), fresh oysters from the Thau lagoon, or macaronade, a pasta dish with cuttlefish. In the lively atmosphere of this traditional market, you'll also discover many stalls of fruits, vegetables, and local products. A real sensory journey and immersion in the local culture that will delight food lovers.

Attend the water jousting on the canals

Water jousting is an age-old tradition in Sète and a unique spectacle in the world. In summer, especially during Saint-Louis in August, the canals come alive with tournaments where armor-clad jousters, standing on old-style boats, try to knock each other into the water with long lances. Sit on the bleachers along the Canal Royal to experience the electrifying atmosphere of these water jousts, between fanfares, public cheers, and local pride. A convivial and authentic moment not to be missed if you visit Sète at the right time.

Visit the Georges Brassens Space

Sète is the birthplace of the famous singer and poet Georges Brassens. A modern museum is dedicated to him: the Georges Brassens Space, where you can immerse yourself in the artist's world through an emotional audio-guided tour. Songs, photos, personal items, and testimonies trace Brassens' life in his beloved city. The visit ends at the Le Py cemetery, where the artist rests, offering a moment of reflection. A cultural activity not to be missed to better understand the soul of Sète through the legacy of one of its most illustrious sons.

Need more ideas for activities in Sète?

The city of Sète and its surroundings offer many more experiences to discover.

• - Sète Tourist Office: The official tourism office website offers an event calendar, good addresses, and many visit ideas.
• - Hérault Tourisme – Sète: The department's tourist guide provides a comprehensive overview of activities, places to see, and experiences not to be missed around Sète.

Iconic places of Sète

The city is full of iconic places that testify to its history and unique character.

Mont Saint-Clair

A true symbol of Sète, Mont Saint-Clair dominates the city and offers an exceptional panorama. On top of this verdant hill, accessible by a winding road or trails, the Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette chapel and its large cross offer a haven of peace. From the viewpoint, you can contemplate the port city at your feet, the sparkling Mediterranean Sea on one side, and the mirror of the Thau lagoon on the other. It is a must-see for any visitor wishing to grasp the singular beauty of Sète.

The fishing port and the Saint-Louis lighthouse

The beating heart of Sète, the fishing port is one of the most important in the French Mediterranean. Every morning, trawlers unload the day's catch in typical bustle, and the auction animates the quays. Extending the walk along the Saint-Louis pier, you will reach the Saint-Louis lighthouse, a 33-meter-high stone sentinel guarding the port entrance since 1682. From the foot of the lighthouse, the view embraces the city, the open sea, and the comings and goings of boats. The sunset walk along the pier is particularly picturesque.

The Sea Theater

Installed in a former military fort overlooking the sea, the Sea Theater is an iconic cultural venue in Sète. This open-air amphitheater offers a magical setting: its stone bleachers face the stage with the maritime horizon as a backdrop. In summer, it hosts renowned concerts and festivals (such as jazz at Fiest'A Sète or classical music evenings), making the city vibrate to the rhythm of culture. Even empty, the place is worth a visit for its unique atmosphere and the view it offers of the coast.

Le Quartier Haut

This historic district of Sète, perched on the hillside near Mont Saint-Clair, is often compared to a small Mediterranean Montmartre. The former district of Italian-origin fishermen has retained an authentic soul with its narrow streets, colorful facades, and artistic atmosphere. You'll find artist workshops, murals, and the nearby Paul Valéry museum. While strolling in Le Quartier Haut, take a break on the Théâtre square to admire the view of the port and feel the unique Sète atmosphere that reigns there.

The best municipal beaches of Sète

In addition to its private beaches, Sète offers beautiful public beaches accessible to all.

Plage de la Corniche

Located near the city center, Plage de la Corniche is a lovely cove of fine sand suitable for families. Protected by breakwaters, it offers generally calm waters, ideal for children's swimming. A seaside promenade runs along the beach, dotted with cafes and restaurants where you can take a gourmet break. Easily accessible on foot or by bus, the Corniche is the perfect spot to enjoy the sea without straying from the heart of Sète.

Plage de la Baleine (Lido)

This vast beach is part of the Lido de Sète, the endless stretch of sand that extends towards Marseillan. Plage de la Baleine enchants with its endless stretches of fine sand, small wild dunes, and clear water conducive to swimming. Several numbered accesses serve it along the road, with parking and facilities for people with reduced mobility. In summer, it has a lively atmosphere with beach huts, beach volleyball courts, and even a kitesurfing area further west. It is the emblematic beach to enjoy the sun and the sea in a natural setting.

Plage des Trois Digues

At the western end of Sète, near the border with Marseillan, stretches Plage des Trois Digues. It is a wild beach and less frequented, named after the breakwaters (digues) that segment and partially protect it. Here, there are no constructions in sight: just sand, sea, and surrounding nature. Glide enthusiasts appreciate this area for surfing and kiting when the wind allows. Plage des Trois Digues will delight those seeking a quieter coastal spot to recharge in simplicity facing the sea.

How to get around Sète

Sète is easy to explore thanks to various means of transport available on site.

On foot

The city center of Sète is relatively compact, making it particularly pleasant to explore on foot. Strolling along the canal quays, crossing the bridges, and getting lost in the lively streets allow you to appreciate the local ambiance up close. Many sites (the Halles, the port, the museum, etc.) are accessible on foot, and you can easily climb to Le Quartier Haut or walk along the Saint-Louis pier to enjoy the sea breeze.

By bike

Sète and its immediate surroundings have ideal bike paths for getting around without a car. You can rent a traditional or electric bike to ride along the greenway of the Lido, which runs along the coast for kilometers towards Marseillan, offering a superb landscape between sea and lagoon. Getting around by bike allows you to enjoy the fresh air and easily reach the beach from the city center while avoiding parking hassles.

By bus

The city of Sète is served by an efficient urban bus network connecting the main neighborhoods, train stations, and beaches. Regular lines allow you, for example, to reach the Lido beach or the city center from the SNCF train station for a modest fare. Convenient and air-conditioned in summer, buses are a good option for getting around, especially if you stay a bit out of the way or don't want to use your car. Schedules are available online or at the Tourist Office.

By car

If you choose to get around by car in Sète, you will enjoy great freedom to explore the surroundings at your own pace. The city is accessible via the A9 motorway (Sète exit) and has parking at the entrance to the center and near the beaches to leave your vehicle. Once in town, it is advisable to walk for short distances to avoid traffic in the narrow streets. The car is ideal for discovering the Thau archipelago as a whole – from Bouzigues to Marseillan – or visiting picturesque villages around Sète.