THE NINE LOCKS OF FONSERANES
Engineering
structure (viaduct, bridge, tunnel, dam, etc.)
Rue
du Canal Royal - 34500 - Béziers - France
The 9 locks of Fonséranes, true marvels of civil engineering unique in the world, are an exceptional site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as a Historic Monument. Major structure of the Canal du Midi created by Pierre-Paul Riquet, it has eight ovoid-shaped basins and nine gates that allow you to cross a drop of up to 21.6 meters over a length of more than 300 meters. Today, only seven of its locks are still in service.
BOAT
CAP AU SUD
BOAT CAP AU SUD
Rue du canal Royal - 34500 - Béziers - France
Departing from the exceptional site of the 9 locks of Fonséranes, 5 cruises (1h to 3h) are available. For the longest, you will embark on the discovery of the Malpas tunnel (173 m long), sail on a wild part of the canal to reach the charming little port of Colombiers and you will end the adventure by descending the 9 locks, a vertical drop of 21.50 m very impressive when you are on board! Thanks to this fun outing, you will become an expert on the maneuvers to be carried out to pass a lock and on the history of the Canal du Midi!
GEORGES BRASSENS SPACE
Specialized museum (La Poste museum, etc.)
67, boulevard Camille-Blanc - 34200 - Sète - France
It is through a headset that Georges Brassens guides you on this one-hour museum tour. He leads you on the path of his life, from the first steps to consecration. The Space includes ten interactive rooms retracing childhood and youth in Sète, the Florimont impasse with Jeanne and Marcel, the time of cabarets, poetic and musical writing, women with a look at his companion Püppchen, Brassens le libertarian and the man of the scene... You can extend the visit to the Le Py cemetery, where the artist rests.
THEATER OF THE SEA
Opera – Theater
Promenade Maréchal Leclerc - 34200 - Sète - France
This open-air theater has the particularity of having the Mediterranean Sea as its backdrop. Originally, it was a fort, Fort Saint-Pierre. It became a barracks, a prison, a place of quarantine and, finally, it will be dynamited by the Germans. It will be transformed into a theater in the 1960s thanks to Jean Deschamps, a great theater man. Since then, the greatest artists have performed on this magical and fascinating stage. In summer, dozens of concerts follow one another during the Sète festivals, creating amazing shots
VILLA LOUPIAN - GALLO-ROMAN MUSEUM
Specialized museum (La Poste museum, etc.)
RD 158 - E4 - 34140 - Loupian - France
Museum-archaeological site presenting a Gallo-Roman villa, its history, its operation as a wine estate, but also, of course, the many objects found during excavations, and models. One of the most remarkable elements is undoubtedly the set of polychrome mosaics, classified as a historic monument, which decorated the villa in the 5th century, presented in their original location.
LUNARET ZOOLOGICAL PARK
Zoo
Domaine Saint-Martin - 34090 - Montpellier - France
The Lunaret Zoological Park is undoubtedly one of the busiest places in the city. In the morning, joggers walk the paths, then families come to get lost on the 9 km of footpaths and discover many animals in semi-freedom. Within this rich nature, the enclosures seem to blend into the decor, to disappear, a quality that adds to the magic of the place. Walking the paths of the zoo becomes an adventure where children and parents flock.
DOOR AND IRONWORK MUSEUM
Natural site (with timetables and/or charge)
7, rue Montmorency - 34120 - Pézenas - France
Since 1993 and the opening of this museum, the Association for the Safeguarding of Woodworking Trades has offered a space, admittedly very unusual, of knowledge and discussion around the door. If that seems too specific for some, this museum will enchant amateurs as well as the curious and professionals. Within its five rooms, the space presents a fine collection of doors from the 15th to the 20th century from Pézenas and the surrounding area. The museum also presents an exhibition of ironwork, knockers and old tools saved from the ravages of time. A landmark visit.
RMCA - REGIONAL MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART OCCITANIA
Modern art
146, avenue de la Plage - 34410 - Sérignan - France
Since its opening in 2006, this museum managed by the Region has presented a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Established in a former wine cellar and spread over an area of 2,700 m², it receives contemporary French and international artists. Thanks to large openings, natural light enters the volumes of the different exhibition rooms. After the visit, the curious can go to the bookstore-shop to leave with a souvenir.
CHÂTEAU-ABBAYE DE CASSAN
Monuments
Between Roujan and Gabian - 34320 - Roujan - France
Cassan was given over to religious worship by Charlemagne in 805. It was provided with a chapel in 1080. From the 12th century, the prosperity of the place was such that the Viscounts of Béziers chose it as the burial place of their dynasty. Nowadays, a Romanesque church from the 12th century, the last vestige of the Priory, and an episcopal palace, built in the 17th century, rub shoulders there. Take the time to visit it, the view of the imposing west facade with its 65 meters long and its multiple windows is worth the detour in itself.
LA MINE D'ART
Art gallery, exhibition space, foundation, cultural center
2, place Carnot - 34340 - Marseillan - France
Marine Heim and Monique Hibon, both ceramists, set up this art gallery.
Glazed sandstone marquetry. Large, raw-cut elements, incorporating sculpted parts. Decorative wall panels, table tops... All creations are unique pieces.
FORMER RAMPARTS OF BALARUC-LE-VIEUX
Fortifications – Ramparts
Promenade des Remparts - 34540 - Balaruc-Le-Vieux - France
These remains are an invitation to a lovely stroll along the ramparts. This walk will immerse you in the history of the city and will allow you to discover beautiful views below on: the district of Barrys (suburbs), the old mill located along the La Gau canal, the plan of the old portal (with a superb view of the Gardiole hills and the remains of the Abbey of Saint-Félix de Montceau), the Porte de Montpellier and many others.
THE MARKETS OF SÈTE
Halles – Market
Rue Gambetta - 34200 - Sète - France
Elected as the third most beautiful halls in Occitania, they are the ambassadors of the reputation of Sète gastronomy. The old building from the 1970s gave way in 2014 to a splendid building designed by the architect François Fontès. Open every morning, it is home to 75 traders who are passionate about local products and quality products. We discover, taste and have lunch the local specialties while discussing with producers proud to make discover their products. Butchers, bakers, cheese makers, fishmongers, market gardeners, wine merchants, caterers, everything is there!
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INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF MODEST ARTS (MIAM)
Museum
23, quai du Maréchal-de-Lattre-de-Tassigny - 34200 - Sète - France
What is modest art? The look without derision of the collector or the artist on everyday objects and useless creations. Modest art is an enterprise of valuing the marginalized and the despised. There are thousands of emblematic objects of modest art: Bonux gifts, pranks and tricks, Mokarex soldiers, Barbie dolls... everything we no longer want, everything we throw away or forget in the drawer bottoms. A benevolent and essential museum
AZUR CROISIÈRES
Guided tours
quay of General-Durand - 34200 - Sète - France
This is a story as we like them in Sète. For three generations, the Filocamo family takes water lovers on the canals. The Popeye 1 is the first born of this generation, since replaced. The Popeye have seen crowds of tourists pass by, because the walk is a must for anyone who wants to capture the soul of the unique island. And since September 2009, a new boat has been moored along the quay. But beware, not just any boat. This one is an eco-boat, meaning an eco-boat that works with 180 lithium batteries. The Ecocano offers two walks: one of eight kilometers in the meanders of the canals, the other of 18 km takes you to the Etang de Thau. And last novelty, the Aqua-Poyeye, an underwater vision boat (with 360° vision) has just docked on the quay. It takes you on a marine getaway with sunny comments: visit the port of Sète and the various commercial docks, then go out to sea along the rocky coast, with a view of Mont-Saint-Clair.
LA POINTE COURTE
Street, square, district...
34200 - Sète - France
A fishing district Living off the small fishing trades in the Etang de Thau, the "pointus" have shaped their own identity as surprising as this district with such a typical life and soul. Just read the names of streets: crossings of jousters, rowers, fishermen, rue la pétanque
CACTUS PARK
Animal park
Chemin de la Turque - 34550 - Bessan - France
This large 8-hectare park is home to an exotic garden: Thousands of cacti and succulent plants are to be discovered, as is the animal park with yaks, llamas, bulls, donkeys, goats, exotic birds. Come and stroll to meet the animals sometimes amazing...Ideal for young children who will be amused by small animals in the wild.
VULLIOD-SAINT-GERMAIN
MUSEUM Museum
3, rue Albert-Paul Alliès - 34120 - Pézenas - France
Created in 1942, the collections presented are linked to the history of the town of Pézenas. There are also fine collections of Languedoc cabinets as well as various pieces of furniture, a suite of Aubusson tapestries relating the story of Alexander, as well as local souvenirs of Molière. A national subscription made it possible to acquire, in 2009, the “armchair of Molière”, a cathedra which would come from the shop of the barber Gély.
AGATHOIS JULES BAUDOU MUSEUM
Museum
5, rue de la Fraternité - 34300 - Agde - France
The Agathois Jules Baudou Museum retraces the life of Agde from the 18th century to the present day. A journey through the centuries that allows you to discover the daily life of yesteryear, the folklore, the maritime and wine-growing activities of the city. Art is also present there through the paintings of the Azéma Brothers, talented painters from Agde.
SAINT-ÉTIENNE CATHEDRAL
Church – Cathedral – Basilica – Chapel
3, rue Hôtel du Cheval Blanc - 34300 - Agde - France
Seat of the bishopric of Agde, the Saint-Etienne cathedral is undoubtedly one of the finest examples of a fortified church in the region. The Carolingian church built from 872 was fortified in 1173 by Bishop William. Romanesque in style, the cathedral is made of basalt stone and culminates at 35 meters. It has all the attributes of a medieval fortress: keep, battlements, battlements, loopholes and walkway.
LE FORT DE BRESCOU
Military (fort, bunker, etc.)
Association "Les Amis de Brescou" - 34300 - Le Cap-D'Agde - France
Originally, there is a building which draws its silhouette not far from the Agde coast, on an islet 740,000 years old, resulting from a volcanic lava flow. Its name: Fort de Brescou. Its history begins in 1586, when the viscount of Joyeuse seizes the island to build the first fort there. This is large enough to house a garrison of 60 men and serve as a base for two frigates which control the sea under the command of a certain Sieur Gaspard Dot, known as “Barberoussette”, a pirate by profession.
