Marseillan and Herault. Languedoc holidays. Information for stays in Marseillan

Marseillan itself:

Marseillan is without doubt a 'hidden gem'. The area enjoys over 250 days of sun a year and being one of the oldest villages in France, Marseillan remains an unspoiled place with a delightful port and an ancient quarter of narrow streets offering shops, church, theatre and bars and a weekly market. Marseillan port with its cafes and restaurants is just a few minutes walk away from Marseillan Maison which faces onto the most spectacular salt water lagoon of the Languedoc . Opening into the sea, and the Canal du Midi the “Etang de Thau” constantly stuns whether it be watching the dawn break, sun set,  light sparkling on the water, birds flying over or the fisherman’s boats passing by at the end of the day.

Marseillan has a small local park by the waterside. The park is ideal for children or for lunch as there are benches and tables also brick bbqs for all visitors to use.  Within the park there is a watersports venue where you can kayak, paddleboard, waveboard or even learn to water ski.

In this area the fishermen farms their moules and oyster catch and have now set up some small shack where you can enjoy lunch - days open depend on time of year. 

On the eastern shore of the etang there is an 11km-long sandy beach, with the Mediterranean on one side and the calm waters of the lagoon on the other, stretching from Sete – known as Venice of the Languedoc – to Marseillan Plage. Also there are traditional activities such as fishing, oyster culture and wine-growing. Nearby is a small lighthouse which marks the official end of the Canal du Midi, a World Heritage site. The clean clear waters of the Etang and the protected nature reserves around it are home to a host of wildlife including visiting flamingos.

Within a short drive of Marseillan:

Beautiful country and coastal villages are dotted everywhere within a short drive.  

Marseillan is situated in the heart of Languedoc, along the Mediterranean Sea, the Hérault is a special destination for relaxation lovers with its seaside resorts and its coast lined with long sandy beaches great for relaxing. The Hérault also offers to its visitors a multitude of cultural and natural places of interest to discover. Cities with a rich heritage such as Carcassonne, Montpellier, Pezenas, Beziers also smaller places such as Aigue Mortes, Lodeve,  The Languedoc inland countryside, its beautiful villages and its unspoiled landscapes which delight hiking fans, and the Gorges d'Heric  are among attractions to be discovered.  Don't miss Bages and Peyriec sur Mer, not well known but quite delightful, also Sete is worth a visit as it has not only a large port but also canals running through the town.

Carcassonne:

Set high up on a hill, Carcassonne’s ancient walled city is Disneyworld-perfect. This fairytale collection of drawbridges, towers and atmospheric cobbled streets was I am told the inspiration for Walt Disney’s The Sleeping Beauty, and it’s a must-see on any trip through this part of southern France. Its medieval core, the cité, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1997.

Pezenas:

The antique town of Pézenas is one of the beautiful glories of southern France. What you can enjoy is a glorious place of elegant 17th- and 18th-century houses constructed in mellow, honey-coloured stone and graced with balconies and twirling wrought-iron. Lots of cafes and antique shops.

Aigues Mortes:

Aigues-Mortes is a striking, walled Medieval town sitting on the flat marshes of the Camargue, and is considered the purest example of 13th-century military architecture. It looks today pretty much like it did in the Middle Ages. The town of neatly rectilinear streets is surrounded by a crenelated wall with four corner towers and a dozen fortified portes. Full of shops, cafes, restaurants and the canal leads to the sea.

Sete:

A gritty, major port with a large harbour for yachts, ships and fishing trawlers, which you find at the end of 8 miles of sandy beach south of Marseillan. Setes has lovely canals running through it and many restaurants and shops for spending a day doing not very much.  Sete can be seen from Marseillan.

Bouzigue:

A village on the waterside for many seafood restaurants

Saint Guilhem le desert:

A classified site and one of the most beautiful villages in France.  This medieval village has houses snuggled in little alleyways and a superb abbey - Abbey of Gellone.

Herault Valley:

A classic mediterranean landscape.  You will find many deep gorges for kayaking, swimming and walking and over 20 villages to visit.

Canal du Midi:

The Canal du Midi is a 240 km long canal in Southern France and it enters the etang in Marseillan. A lovely walking or cycling path runs along the side of the canal and cruises are available for travelling along the canal.

Wine region:

The area is full of vineyards with many 'tastings' possible in domaines found along the roadside and in local villages.