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Marseillan Village

Situated on the Mediterranean coast in the Occitanie region in the South of France, Marseillan is surrounded by rolling vineyards, pristine beaches and the epic history of the Cathars.

Visiting Marseillan Village

Below is an outline of life in Marseillan Village. For more information and additional images, click here.

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The History of Marseillan Village

Marseillan is situated on a picturesque fishing port on the Bassin de Thau, the largest of the lagoons down the western coast of the Mediterranean and the home of France’s largest shellfish growing industry.

The Romans established the port at Marseillan, which is a protected heritage site, and with the Via Domitia running close they also established a rest and recreation centre. Many legionnaires took their discharge at Marseillan, having been granted land there. Vineyards were established on many of these allotments.

There has been virtually no new building in the heart of the village since the 17th century, and many of the houses date to the 12th century. The old village has remained largely unchanged throughout the centuries, and today's village is almost identical in shape to the one known in the Middle Ages. This is because Marseillan was a fortified village until the late 18th century.

From the second century BC Marseillan was protected by earthworks, but by Roman times it had a timber stockade. This was sufficient until Simon de Montfort and his army passed through during the Cathar Crusade. New stone fortifications then replaced the timber. Most of the village houses are back-to-back. Typically they are of three storeys, with a stable on the ground floor, living space on the first and fodder stored on the second. 

The Château sat foursquare in the centre of the village, behind its own walls, whilst the village walls were themselves four-and-a-half metres high. There were four gates, six watchtowers and the village was moated. The Château remains on the edge of the port and has been renovated to its original grandeur.

The centre of the village lies within the lines of the old walls. Vineyards extend from the main boulevards built outside of the walls around 1870. 

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Village Life

Marseillan is now a bustling centre characterised by narrow streets surrounding a market square and church. Rue Gay Lussac is only 200m from the square in the heart of the village and #11 is in a tightly packed row of ancient stone houses around 300 years old.

Still a working port, Marseillan is small, friendly and well serviced with all the basic amenities literally within walking distance. Artisan boulangeries, patisseries, charcuteries, cafés, restaurants and pharmacies are peppered throughout the central village, with more modern facilities such as supermarket, post office, laundromat, banks and hardware stores lining the wider ring road and port – all no more than a short walk. The market on Tuesday morning snakes right around the square and has a huge variety of fresh food, clothing, jewellery, knick-knacks and a whole lot more.

The port itself is lined with restaurants and bars on both sides, with the headquarters of the region’s signature aperitif, Noilly Prat, sitting alongside the elegant Château at the Port’s edge.

Small family vineyards supply the local Cave, which have a great selection of wines, specialising in white and rosé. Patrons can fill their own bottles direct from the barrels or purchase pre-bottled wines at very reasonable prices. In the surrounding area, there are a multitude of private vineyards with tasting and sales onsite.

Shellfish and seafood are plentiful and there are stalls all over town from the local producers, restocked with their daily catch.

The narrow streets and close proximity of all essential amenities means most villagers walk or ride bikes to get around the centre ville. Many of the streets are too narrow for cars and there is very limited parking. Cars are generally parked on the wider ring road which links to all the main access roads in and out of Marseillan.

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Activities

The relatively flat and temperate coastal landscape of the Languedoc makes Marseillan an ideal location for a variety of active pursuits and the perfect base for short day trip activities.

Sailing, canal boating and étang sightseeing trips: The Canal du Midi meets the Mediterranean at Marseillan and Sète. Day trips are available from Agde up to the locks at Beziers. Or much longer trips often finish at Marseillan or nearby Agde. The port is home to an active local boating and sailing club who are regular users of the Bassin de Thau. A visit to the local club or the harbourmaster will put you in contact with the many charter operators on the area.

Kitesurfing, windsurfing, waterskiing and wakeboarding: The Bassin is also very popular for wind and  watersports, with the flat and relatively flat waters of the Étang a perfect setting. There is a cable-ski operator at the port and numerous rental options all along the local coastline.

Cycle paths and walking trails: There are dedicated walking and cycling trials all around the area and these are hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. France is very cycle-friendly and the region has invested in a massive network of well-maintained and well-signposted trials. 

Traditional sports - petanque, jousting and capelet: The Languedoc has a rich history of weird and wonderful sports contests such as water-jousting and capelet, where teams of contestants attempt to run along a greased pole suspended over the water. During summer there are regular contests held at the port where the whole village turns up to support. Petanque (boules) is also very popular – there is a local bouledrome close to the town centre and most evenings you can find groups of all ages and abilities enjoying a friendly contest.

Outdoor pursuits: Local amusement parks provide activities such as go-karting and shooting. During the summer holidays theme parks and festivals pop up regularly. All over the Languedoc region local businesses cater for kayaking, climbing, abseiling, rafting and other adventure activities. Information is readily available from the tourist centres in each town. There are also a number of tennis courts and football pitches in Marseillan.

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Local Attractions

The rich history, coastal location and beautiful climate provide a wealth of attractions and locations of interest in and around Marseillan village.

Beaches - Marseillan Plage, Cap d'Agde, Sète coastline: With 6 km of golden sand and almost 320 days of sunshine a year, Marseillan Plage's reputation is well established as an idyllic beach resort. If you are looking for a quieter, less touristy spot, check out the beaches of Robinson Place or Castillas. The coastline between Marseillan and Sète is a 20km stretch of wide, white sandy beach, so you can always find a spot that's right for you.

Wine-tasting and sales: The local caves of Richemer and Madeleine St John are located right is the village and offer a wide selection of local wines. In the surrounding areas, there are hundreds of small local vineyards that provide tasting and sales at the cellar door. The local signature aperitif, Noilly Prat, has its modern tasting and sales showroom at the Port’s edge.

Local history tours and historic sites: There are a number of historic sites in Marseillan - the village itself believed to be one of the oldest in France, with the Via Domitia running right through the area. There's a regular walking tour of the town (in English) and lots of information available at the local tourist office and Mairie (town hall).

Local Markets: Market days are an integral part of French life. Every village has its own market day, with each village bringing their own unique flavour to the mix. Usually the best way to pick up the freshest and widest range of virtually everything and all at a reasonable price. Marseillan has a market in the town centre every Tuesday from around 9 till 12 noon, and during summer an evening market every Thursday at the port. Nearby Agde has a large market every Thursday morning.

Shellfish Farming: The 2-3km stretch on the shores of the Bassin just east of the village, is home to a huge shellfish industry. 18 different species are fished from the Etang. As the water is Class A they can be eaten straightaway. Most notable are the oysters and the mussels. Bouziques oysters from the Étang provide about 10% of France's annual oyster consumption. Most local producers bring their daily catch into small shops around town, where locals can purchase directly.

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