There is so much going on in the seaside town of Sete in the summer it’s hard to decide what to do first. Letโs go Barefooting in Sete!ย
Regardless of what you choose, you can’t go wrong.ย Just a walk around town is an experience.
The city of Sete lines the canals in the “Venice of France”
Boats parked in town are almost as numerous as cars.
A walk to the “central park” presented a chance to see a ride for kids I wish was in every town.
Children LOVE getting the exercise racing each other on their make-believe ponies.
Park “ponies” for kids in Sete
The city is a major seaport for France so Sete takes advantage of every aspect of being an international coastal town, from seafood markets to private beaches.
Oysters are so abundant in Sete, people of the town enjoy the salty, tender mollusksย all times of day. These pictures were the “small” version since I was late getting to the market that day.
Yes, on weekend mornings the Setoise are enjoying oysters with a beer or wine. So get up early or you won’t get the biggest and best. They go fast.
Shell fish of all types are ready for eating on the spot, or to bag up to take away.ย If you’ve never tried sea snails, you must. But then, you’d better like chewy things, because they will remind you of a tasty pencil eraser.
Steamed shrimp and sea snails
Nighttime in Sete is a thrill to the senses.
The views, the music, the whole atmosphere is as exciting as to see as it is to feel and to enjoy.
Handsome French men in sidewalk cafes
Daytime is Sete is beach time and unique water sports.
Beach club in Sete
If you’re going to Sete in the summer and you want to go to a private club on the beach, MAKE A RESERVATION. We didn’t and ended up with one beach chair and one umbrella.
Joutes Nautique in Sete
Water jousting, or “joutes nautique” has been a summer sport and spectacle in Sete since 1666 when the seaport was formally opened. I thought I had missed the season since the biggest events are held earlier in August. Sea jousting is held throughout sea towns on the Mediterranean, though Sete is world famous for its teams and tournaments.
To my surprise and delight, we literally ran into an event one afternoon where two teams from Sete were up against each other.ย
You would never know that the home town team would win either way by the enthusiasm the crews on the jousting boats performed. They were both elegant and fierce.
Each boat is filled with a team of ten oarsmen, one jouster and a “spare”, a helmsman and two musicians. ย The “spare” is onboard for the next joust.
One jouster on each boat stands on a raised platform, called a “la tintaine” at the stern of the boat. He stands about 10 feet (three metres) above the surface of the water.
After a polite “pass by” the jousters and crew are ready for the duel.
It would seem the red team stacked the deck … so to speak.
Even so, the blue team was victorious.
Afterwards, it’s all about teamwork and getting quickly out of the boat to have a smoke and to celebrate.
Is it any wonder I love Sete?
Thanks, Nancy for being the “hostess with the mostest.” To readers who want to visit Sete, be sure to look up Nancy’s apartment on AIRBNB. She has amazing tours of Sete and the area, too.ย 
Also, thanks Christina Rabaste for welcoming me back to your studio and home to view your art. I’m looking for spaces to put them all! Love!
For more about water jousting, here’s the Men’s Journal’s view.
