Lido de Thau and Plage de la Corniche
Sète sits on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the lagoon, which means you can swim in the Mediterranean in the morning and kayak on the calm Étang de Thau in the afternoon without moving your car. The two coastlines have completely different personalities and together they make Sète one of the most versatile beach destinations in Occitanie.
Plage de la Corniche: The Mediterranean Side
The Corniche beaches stretch for nearly 12 kilometres southwest of the town centre toward Marseillan-Plage. The sand is fine and golden, the water is clear and the waves are gentle enough for children but interesting enough for bodyboarders on windier days.
The first 3 kilometres closest to Sète are the most animated, with beach bars, sun-lounger rentals and a promenade of pine trees providing shade. Further along the coast the beaches thin out and the crowds disappear entirely.
Lido de Thau: The Lagoon Side
On the lagoon side, the Lido de Thau is a narrow strip of sand and scrub that separates the Étang de Thau from the sea. The water is flat, warm and shallow — perfect for paddleboarding, kitesurfing and flamingo-spotting, since the pink birds wade in the shallows on the quieter northern stretches.
Several operators near the Lido offer kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals by the hour; paddling out toward the oyster-farming platforms at dawn, when the mist is still on the water, is one of the most quietly spectacular experiences the area offers.
More of Sète
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore Sète →
