Overview:
Sete is All About Its
Restaurants
Quaint
Sete, France was established in the 1600s and plays a
major role as a commercial fishing center. In spite of
its commercial fishing history the harbor and canals
that make up Sete have turned into a fabulous port for
cruise ships. First, Sete itself is absolutely charming,
but more importantly for the cruise lines, there is an
unending array of shore excursions that can be sold from
Sete. Within 75 miles, or so numerous destinations can
be reached on shore excursions. Montpellier, Nimes,
Avignon, Carcassone and other destinations are generally
offered. Sete enjoys excellent Mediterranean weather and
the currency of France is the Euro. Should you take a
ship's shore excursion rather than explore Sete on your
own? That is a tough one. If there is a specific shore
excursion that appeals to you, then you may want to
consider it. If not, Sete has plenty to keep you busy
all day long.
Cruise
Port Location and Information:
Docked in Sete, France
Ships
dock in one of three different quays depending on what
is available. All three quays are within easy walking
distance of where your ship will dock.
Exploring on Your Own:
Sete's Main Canal
Sete is
designed to explore on your own. However, as mentioned
above, While Sete has a lot to offer a visitor for the
day, if a ship's shore excursion is shouting at you to
take it, this would be a good port to do so in.
Sete's Tourist Train
That
said, spending the day in Sete is an easy task if you
like excellent restaurants, quaint back streets, the
beach and some wine. For an easy way to get acquainted
with Sete, try taking the tourist train around its
route.
The Tourist Train
Station
You
will find the Tourist Train Station along the main
canal. Look for the blue building shown above. This is
where you buy the ticket and catch the train.
Shopping Tips:
One of Sete's Shopping
Streets
Shopping is not one of Sete's best features. There is
limited shopping in and around Sete's downtown area, but
few shops that would be of interest to tourists.
Sete's Open Air Market
The
open air market is more of a flea market than a local
produce market found in so many French villages.
However, there are some interesting things to look at in
the market.
Port
Highlights:
Sete's Canals are
Beautiful
Sete's
canals and the buildings, restaurants and shops that
line them arte what Sete is all about.
A Sete Canal Statue
Walking
the canals rewards on of numerous photo opportunities
and memories.
One of the Boats in the
Sete Commercial Fishing Fleet
It is
impossible to get away from Sete's important role in the
commercial fishing industry in France. Offshore is an
island which clams, mussels and oysters are grown and
delivered all over France. Sete is also famous for its
Monk Fish. While they did not have any fresh Monk Fish
during our visit, I can only imagine how excellent is
must be when it is.
Seafood Restaurant
Right Next to the Commercial Fishing Fleet
Some of
the restaurants in Sete are located right next to the
fishing fleet, which adds a whole new eminsion to the
term "fresh fish".
Beaches in Sete
About a
20 to 30 minute walk from the canals, one finds some
wonderful beaches. Note that the sand is not the powdery
while sand one would hopt for, but just the same, the
beaches are there to be enjoyed.
A vacant Beach Begging
You to Join It
The
main beach is large and inviting and the water is
crystal clear.
Parc du Chateau d'Eau
Right
in the center of things is Parc du Chateau d'Eau. This
park dates back well over a century and offers visitors
of wonderful outdoor experience. There is a pond,
waterfalls, caves and many mature trees offering lots of
shade and places to sit and enjoy it.
Monument to Those That
Have Given Their Lives in Battle For France
The
monument in the park celebrating those that have given
their lives in battle is moving.
Museum on the Way to
the Beach
While
walking to the beach we passed a rather interesting
museum and while we didn't stop to explore it, it would
be interesting to do so.
The Entrance to Sete
This is
the entrance to Sete where the canal meets the ocean. To
get to the beaches you would walk along the coastline to
the left (or to your right if you were leaving Sete's
main canal)
Off the
Beaten Path:
Your ship
will undoubtedly have several shore excursion to
destinations outside of Sete. While there is a train
station very close to the ship, most of the destinations
are great distances away and require a long ride. Given
most cruise lines spend a shorter day here, your best
bet is to take a ship's shore excursion if you intend to
visit far off places. If not, Sete is an excellent
choice.
Dining
and Drinking Suggestions:
A Few Seafood
Restaurants That Line the Canals
The
description of the first picture pretty much says it
all. Ste is all about the restaurants. While its
specialty is Monk Fish, the restaurants in Stet serve a
wide array of seafood dishes.
There is a restaurant
for everyone
We
enjoyed a seafood platter that had different kinds of
fish and shell fish and was to die for. Each restaurant
seems to have its own specialty and I didn't see a
single restaurant that wasn't inviting. The are hundreds
of small restaurants to choose from.
Sidewalk Cafes Populate
All of Sete
One
would think that all the people in Sete do is eat out.
French cuisine and of course, French wine make Sete a
wonderful port to visit.
Just One Sete Wine Bar
It is
extremely easy to spend an afternoon dining and enjoying
a glass of wine in the warm sunshine and this is the
beauty of Sete.
Must Do
List:
While I am
not sure that I would give Sete a "must do" rating, if
you do spend the day in Sete I would give having a
lingering lunch at one of the wonderful restaurants and
enjoying some wine a "must do" experience.
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