Marseillan

Visit Marseillan, Languedoc-Roussillon

Marseillan is one of the picturesque villages on the Etang de Thau in Languedoc-Roussillon and east of Beziers. Once an active fishing port, its principal activity now revolves around its position at the end of the Canal du Midi (a world heritage site).

Exploring Marseillan

The port is pleasant and not over-commercialised, although there are plenty of small shops and cafes to distract you in the town, and marseillan gives the impression of being a working town rather than a tourist town.

The highlights here in Marseillan include the quays of the port where you can enjoy a promenade.

The 17th century Church of Saint John the Baptist retains parts of the original 11th century church that stood here and is worth visiting in the heart of the old town. Nearby you can see a traditional covered market hall, while the statue of Marianne in the town is said to be the oldest in France.

The town also has a myriad of narrow old streets to amble around inland from the harbour, a seemingly endless maze of two and three storey houses looking much as they would have done a hundred years ago (with the occasional 'posh' modern renovation among them).

Marseillan is also the centre for the production of the well-known Noilly-Prat wine, and is a centre for various nautical sports.

The highlight of the Marseillan year is the 16th August, when the game of 'Capelet' takes over the town - a great 'action and adventure game' involving a lot of getting wet for the competitors!

Attractions nearby

Nearby Marseillan Plage is a popular seaside resort, with a long sandy beach and a pleasure port and is especially popular with campers.

There are several small towns and villages around the Bassin de Thau itself, including the large town of Sete, while the pleasant town of Agde is just a few kilometres to the west of Marseillan.

See Languedoc-Roussillon and Herault (the region and department for Marseillan) for more travel ideas...

Photos of Marseillan

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Suggested places to visit near Marseillan, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Cap d'Agde 13km; Pezenas 14km; Sete 15km; Bouzigues 15km; Balaruc-le-Vieux 17km; Beziers 25km; Cirque de Moureze 32km; Palavas-les-Flots 38km; Montpellier 40km; Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert 42km; Roquebrun 43km;

Marseillan tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Etangs du Bagnas - site of natural beauty (5km) : Etang de Thau - site of natural beauty (9km) : Jardin des carrières de Saint-Adrien - remarkable garden (20km) : Parc et jardin du château de Margon - remarkable garden (23km) : Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (32km) : Enserune - national monument (34km) : Valle du Salagou - grand site of france (36km) : Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (38km) :

See more places and a map at places near Marseillan