Sète, known as Cette until 1928, is a commune in the Hérault department in the region of Occitania in southern France. Its inhabitants are called Sétois (male) and Sétoises (female).
Known as the Venice of Languedoc and the singular island (in Paul Valéry’s words), it is a port and a seaside resort on the Mediterranean with its own very strong cultural identity, traditions, cuisine and dialect.
| Country | France |
|---|---|
| Region | Occitanie |
| Department | Hérault |
| Canton | Sète |
| Government | |
| Mayor (2020–2026) | François Commeinhes (DVD) |
| Area1 | 24.21 km2 (9.35 sq mi) |
| Population (2017-01-01) | 43,229 |
| Demonym(s) | Sétois |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
Geography
Virla Bridge.Southwestern part of the Ile de Thau Neighbourhood and the Étang de Thau.
Built upon and around Mont St Clair, Sète is situated on the south-eastern end of the Étang de Thau, an enclosed salt water lake used primarily for oyster and mussel fields. To its other side lies the Mediterranean, and the town has a network of canals which are links between the Étang de Thau and the Mediterranean Sea.
Economy
The Port: Sète Port Sud de France
The Languedoc-Roussillon region has owned the port facilities at Sète-Frontignan since1 st January 2007. As such, it performs the functions of port authority and granting authority. Indeed, Sète is a strategic point for the development of trade in the Mediterranean, and even international trade. This development project for the commercial port is a real generator of jobs and economic dynamism for the region.
The port of Sète is the 11 th largest French ports with 3.6 million tonnes handled in 2005. The port also has large traffic of ferries to the North African countries, including Morocco (Tangier).
In 2010, the port of Sète made progress in all areas and asserted itself as a very efficient platform at national level. It is also the leading French fishing port in the Mediterranean (nationally, it is Boulogne-sur-Mer ).
Tourism
In the xix th century medical practice of sea bathing sparked the construction of two facilities, establishing “hinschien” led by Coraly Hinsch-Armengaud in 1847 , and the Lazaretto , created by the Reformed Church of Sète, in 1865 and became a holiday center. The Lazaret, still in operation, welcomes family tourism.
Education
The University of Montpellier has three offices located in Sète:
- the Mediterranean Coastal Environment Station;
- the Halieutic Research Center (involving UM2, IFREMER and IRD );
- the chemistry section of the Montpellier IUT.
Transport
Sète is the eastern starting point of the Canal du Midi, and the ending point of the Canal du Rhône à Sète. Its train station Gare de Sète is approximately 15 minutes by train from Montpellier, and is also served by long-distance trains to Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille and Paris. Car ferries sail between Sète and Morocco.
Local Culture and Heritage
Religious buildings
Catholic
- Notre-Dame-Souveraine-du-Monde Church, rue Paul Baudassé.
- Notre-Dame-de-Thau Church, boulevard Pierre Mendès France.
- Chapel of the Penitents, Grand Rue Mario Roustan.
- Church of the Sacred Heart, rue Rouget de L’Isle, etc.
Protestant / Evangelical
- Temple of the United Protestant Church of France, rue Maurice Clavel.
- Evangelical Church of God, rue Honoré Euzet.
- Evangelical Protestant Church, impasse Gaffinel.
Muslim
- Mosque , boulevard Pierre Mendès France.
Israelite
- Synagogue , chemin de l’Anglore.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Kingdom Hall, Quai des Moulins.
Places and monuments
Sète is a very touristy city, especially during the summer period. Since 2006 , the Sète tourist office has been one of the “4-star” establishments.
- The church deanery St. Louis. Its bell tower was home to the early xx th century two large bells made by Jean Poutingon in 1761. These bells have unfortunately been recast. The upper floor, a sort of lantern open on its four sides , in iron and zinc, which is accessed by a wooden spiral staircase. The whole is surmounted by a terrace on which was installed a statue of the Virgin, originally gilded with leaf.
- The Saint-Pierre church contains in its bell carillon 12 bells of the xix th century
- The Church of the Sacred Heart has the most beautiful stained glass windows in the city.
- The theater of the Sea (Fort Saint-Pierre).
- Molière theater.
- The consular palace.
- The royal canal.
- The Mont Saint-Clair , which offers a wide view from its new gazebo.
- The recently restored Belle Époque bandstand in the city center.
- The White Stones.
- The Espace Georges Brassens.
- The Paul-Valéry museum .
- The school of fine arts of Sète .
- The International Museum of Modest Arts (MIAM).
- The Regional Center for Contemporary Art Occitanie.
Gastronomy
- Tielle à la sétoise
- macaronade
- Brageoles
- Mussels stuffed with sétoise
- Bourride à la Sétoise
- FrescatiSquids stuffed with sétoise
- Cuttlefish rouille à la sétoise
- Sétoise fish soup
- Zézette de Sète (shortbread)
Sports
- Water joust : water joust is “the” sport par excellence in Sète. The city has seven jousting societies plus a school society, a unique case in France.
- Saint-Louis Grand Prix : the most prestigious nautical jousting tournament. This competition has existed since 1743.
- Football Club de Sète 34.
- Arago de Sète : the volleyball club founded in 1953.
- Dauphins FC Sète : the water polo club founded in 1907 .
- Kitesurfing : the “Thau Kiteboard Club”, affiliated with the French Free Flight Federation (FFVL), is based in Sète and tries to promote the practice of kitesurfing there .
- Sailing: Originally Sailing in Sète, the old club is split between the Société Nautique de Sète, which sails at sea, on the Eric Tabarly base, and the Voile Fun Sète club, which sails on the Thau lagoon, at the Mialle nautical base and Munoz.
