Mèze: Holiday Apartments and Houses

The Étang de Thau is a Natura 2000 lagoon with nearly 400 aquatic species, including the Mediterranean seahorse.

Finding a holiday apartment in Mèze is a part of planning the trip in its own right.

Nature

La Conque is located on the outskirts of Mèze and is a 45-hectare wetland that emerged from former salt pans and is designated as a Natura 2000 site. The northern path is accessible all year round, while the southern path remains closed from mid-April to mid-October to protect breeding birds.

The free Sentier sous-marin de l’Étang de Thau underwater trail also runs through the Étang de Thau in Mèze. The underwater path is 250 metres long and has five observation stations.

Paths and Water

Cycle route no. 25, “Le Tour de l’Étang de Thau”, passes through Mèze. There, the voie verte runs uninterrupted along the Étang de Thau to Balaruc, offering views of the oyster farms.

Near the town centre, Plage du Thalassa offers peaceful swimming. The shallow water along the shore makes it suitable for families.

History and Culture

A historical tour of Mèze takes one hour and leads through the historic centre. Ten illustrated panels explain the town’s past. The tour follows in the footsteps of fishermen, merchant seafarers and winegrowers, passing through the streets and squares of the historic centre, which was once protected by town walls.

The Chapelle des Pénitents was built in the 12th century and restored in the 17th century by the White Penitents. In summer, it is used for concerts and exhibitions organised by Les Amis des Pénitents.

Typical flat-bottomed fishing boats of the lagoon are still preserved at the Port des Nacelles. They are known as “nacelles” and bear witness to traditional fishing techniques that are still practised today.

Events and Discoveries

The Festival de Thau is a festival featuring several evenings of concerts. After several stops around the Bassin de Thau, it returns to the port of Mèze, where its programme takes place directly beside the Étang de Thau. From Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 July 2026, it will offer four evenings of concerts there, featuring music from around the world.

At the Musée parc des Dinosaures, around 80 % of the fossils displayed in the cases are original specimens.

Maritime Traditions

Mourre Blanc in Mèze is the largest shellfish farming port in the Mediterranean. La Noisette d’Oc offers, on request, a tour of the facility and demonstration workshops on oyster farming, including practical advice and a lesson in opening oysters.

Other destinations in this navigation: Cazedarnes, Jacou, Saint-Séries, Sauteyrargues, Juvignac, Le Cros, Villeveyrac, Le Caylar

To the higher-level travel overview: Hérault.