Eco-certified beaches

Thanks to the municipality’s efficient management of its coastline, Sète has been awarded the highly demanding “Pavillon Bleu” eco-label for six of its beaches (Lazaret, La Fontaine, Lido, Baleine, 3 Digues and Castellas). Each year, the beaches undergo in-depth inspections, covering aspects such as site cleanliness, water quality and availability of drinking water, tourist facilities and services. The criteria are becoming increasingly stringent, reflecting a commitment to maintaining high environmental protection standards.

Walk, cycle or take the bus to the beaches of Sète

Leave the car and cycle along the cycle path, or take bus lines 3 and 9 from the town centre to one of the many beaches. You can even walk to the first coves, Crique de la Nau and La Vigie in 15 to 20 minutes from the Théâtre de la Mer.

First-aid stations

Six first-aid stations are available for your safety from 11 am to 7 pm from mid-June to early September:

• Lazaret beach (entrance 3)
• La Fontaine beach (entrance 13)
• Lido beach (entrance 22)
• La Baleine beach (entrance 41)
• 3 Digues beach (entrance 59)
• Castellas beach (entrances 68/69)

Beaches accessible to all

Several of Sète’s beaches are equipped with beach mats to enable people with reduced mobility to enjoy the beach. Tiralos (bathing chairs) are available at the first-aid stations on La Fontaine and Lido beaches. The equipment is available from mid-June to mid-September, from 11 am to 7 pm.

• Lazaret Beach (entrance 3): Beach accessible by ramp (slope greater than 5%)
• La Fontaine beach (entrance 13): Beach equipped with 4 beach mats, a bathing chair, showers and toilets for people with reduced mobility.
• Lido beach (entrance 22): Beach equipped with 4 walking mats, bathing chair available, showers and toilets for people with reduced mobility.
• La Baleine beach (entrance 41): Beach equipped with beach mat
• 3 Digues beach (entrance 59): Beach equipped with beach mats
• Castellas beach (entrances 68/69): Access for people with reduced mobility

Walk to La Nau and La Vigie coves from Sète’s town centre

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Maréchal Leclerc promenade stretches for 2 km, linking Sète’s town centre to La Corniche district and offering a pleasant 20-minute stroll by the sea. At the end of the promenade near La Corniche district, you’ll come across the charming La Nau cove (which means “boat” in Occitan), also known as La Conque, and La Vigie coves (referring to the observation post on a crow’s nest on a boat). These coves offer warm turquoise waters and greater depths than the Lido beaches. Set against a backdrop of superb red rocks, the environment here differs from Sète’s other beaches.

Crique de la Nau and Crique de la Vigie

The largest cove is Crique de la Vigie, split in two by a rock and accessible via the passage through the holiday homes on Rue de Savoie. The smallest is Crique de la Nau, often misspelt “Anau”, which is closer to town and accessible by stairs from Promenade Maréchal Leclerc. These creeks are the favourite swimming spots Sète’s Quartier Haut residents, and only a 20-minute walk from our vacation home, Le Pouffre.

Crique de la Nau and Crique de la Vigie

The coves are unsupervised, there is no lifeguard station and dogs are not allowed from 1 June to 30 September. Reasonably priced parking is available on the Promenade Maréchal Leclerc, just above the coves. Bus routes 3 and 9 run from the Passage des Dauphins bus stop in the town centre in front of the Monoprix supermarket to the Crique de la Nau bus stop.

Enjoy all the facilities of La Corniche Plages

Also within walking distance of the town centre are Lazaret and La Corniche beaches, about a 20-minute walk from the Théâtre de la Mer along Promenade Maréchal Leclerc. You can also take bus line 3 to the Joliot Curie stop and bus line 9 to the Lazaret stop from the town centre. If you’re driving, you can park for free in the streets behind the beaches.

La Corniche Beach and Lazaret Beach

Lazaret Beach 

Lazaret beach (entrance 1) is the first of a series of beaches from Sète to Marseillan. Just over 100 metres long and 50 metres wide, it bears the same name as the holiday village directly behind the beach, founded in 1865 by the Reformed Church of Sète. It’s a popular beach in Sète due to its proximity to La Corniche district and the beach’s gentle slope down to the sea, making it a good choice for children. A rocky jetty extends from the sand, which is popular with diving enthusiasts who wish explore the rich underwater marine life. Lazaret beach offers disabled access and a first-aid post in summer.

La Corniche Beach

The next beach is La Corniche beach (entrances 4 to 11) at the start of the Promenade de la Corniche, near the Canal des Quilles and the Sète stadium. This wide, sandy beach features two coves around 200 metres wide and is protected by a large seawall. In summer, there are several restaurants on the beach and a children’s playground. On the right-hand side of the beach is the Centre Nautique Françoise Pascal and an area reserved for windsurfing and kite surfing. An access ramp is provided for people with reduced mobility.

12 km of beaches between the sea and the lake

From La Fontaine beach to Vassal beach, seven beaches stretch along a strip called the Lido, which separates the Mediterranean Sea from the Thau lagoon. This narrow, 12 km strip links Sète to Marseillan on the land of the former Villeroy salt marshes, now owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral de France (CDL), and the famous Listel vineyards. The area has been the focus of an extensive sustainable development project to preserve Sète’s beaches, which are fully accessible by a cycle path from the town through the dunes to Marseillan, where cycling enthusiasts can begin the journey along the Canal du Midi towards Toulouse.

From La Fontaine beach to Vassal beach, seven beaches stretch along the Lido

You can take bus routes 3 and 9 from the town centre. There are also large, reasonably priced car parks (1 May to 30 September) along the Lido.

La Fontaine Beach

La Fontaine beach (entrances 12 to 16) starts at the nautical base at its small quay. The beach is divided into several sections by dikes and is very large, so you probably won’t feel cramped. Children can swim safely in the shallow water over a long distance. There’s a first-aid post nearby just in case, and you’ll find shops just across the street. It is equipped with a volleyball net, toilets and showers. Paid parking is available on the street leading to the beach, but you can find free parking on the street a little further away.

Quilles Beach

Quilles beach (entrance 17) lies to the right of the canal and harbour of the same name. Small, bordered by dunes and protected by rocky dykes, you can swim here in peace and quiet. Free parking and disabled-accessible facilities are available.

Lido Beach

The Lido beach (entrances 18 to 24), named after the strip of land linking Sète to Marseillan between the Mediterranean Sea and the  Thau lagoon, is on the Lido promenade. The lifeguard station and disabled access are located at entrance 22. At entrance 20, you’ll find several restaurants, ample parking and a children’s playground. In summer, there are two beach restaurants on the sand. You’ll also find showers and toilets.

La Baleine beach

La Baleine beach stretches along the pedestrian promenade towards Marseillan. A total of 20 entrances are available, from 25 to 45, with entrances 25 and 43 with access for people with reduced mobility. La Baleine beach is only supervised at entrance 41. The beach is pleasant with small dunes, large stretches of sand and a great view of Mont Saint Clair. Be careful though, because in some areas, there are submerged rocks, for example at entrance 28. There is an area for kite surfing on this beach (entrances 26 and 27).

3 Digues beach

Further along the Lido is 3 Digues beach, an excellent spot for kite surfing and snorkelling. This very long beach in the dunes has toilets, showers, bicycle parking and drinking water. It is supervised by a lifeguard station. The beach has a free car park behind the paid camper van park.

Jalabert Beach

Located at entrance 63, Jalabert beach is a beautiful, naturist beach, far from the car parks and ideal if you are looking for peace and quiet. This beach is only accessible on foot or by bike. If you’re travelling by car, you can park at 3 Digues or Castellas beaches and walk to the beach. Cycling is the best way to reach this beach. This is undoubtedly the beach that has the most natural environment in Sète with its well-developed dune zone.

Castellas Beach

Probably the busiest beach in Sète, as the Castellas campsite is right behind it, Castellas beach (entrances 65 to 72) is vast and ideal for walking, running and sunbathing. It is closer to Marseillan (4 km) than Sète (10 km). The beach is supervised and slopes gently down to the water, so it’s perfect for children! Numerous activities are available in summer, including pedal boating, jet skiing and towed buoys.

Vassal Beach: enjoy the beach with your dog

If you’re looking for a beach where you can take your four-legged friend on holiday in Sète, Vassal beach, between entrances 72 and 73, is dog-friendly all year round. Park in the Castellas public car park and walk to entrance 72 at the far end of the parking area and enjoy a day’s swimming with your dog.

Vassal Beach where you can enjoy the beach with your dog

Other beaches in Sète are dog-free from 1 October to 31 May except for Jalabert beach (entrances 62 to 65) to protect the nesting sites of migratory birds, which inhabit the region during this period.

Beach restaurants

Whatever your tastes and desires, you can discover all the specialities of the Thau archipelago in Sète’s beach restaurants.

Beach restaurants from La Corniche beach to La Baleine beach

• La Praia: La Corniche beach, entrance 5
• Les Pieds Dans Le Sable: La Corniche beach, entrance 8
• La Voile Rouge: La Fontaine beach, entrance 15
• La Ola: 201 Promenade du Lido, entrance 17
• Le Canopée: 361 Promenade du Lido, entrance 21
• Le Cabanon de la Plage: La Baleine beach, entrance 24
• La Parenthèse: La Baleine beach, entrance 23