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The Promenade des Bains and accessibility

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M_RICARD_OT-THAU

Our commitment to inclusive tourism

Going on holiday, exploring a new area, enjoying a meal overlooking the lake or a stroll along the lagoon: these simple pleasures should be accessible to everyone. This is the essence of the Archipel de Thau’s commitment to truly inclusive tourism.

Backed by the government’s ‘Destination Pour Tous’ initiative, this commitment takes the form of a practical universal accessibility policy, designed to cater for all types of disability, all ages and all family set-ups.

“Destination Pour Tous” is the only government-backed scheme that promotes accessible tourist destinations, ensuring an inclusive experience for everyone – both local residents and visitors from further afield – by implementing a proactive universal accessibility policy (access to everything for everyone).

The“Destination Pour Tous”brand covers all types of disability: physical, sensory, cognitive, mental or psychological, multiple disabilities,language-related disabilities, as well as age-related loss of independence and mobility barriers linked to family circumstances (pushchairs, etc.). This label aims to promote towns or tourist regions offering a coherent and comprehensive range of services. In particular, it focuses on ensuring that tourist facilities (accommodation, catering, cultural, sporting and outdoor activities) and local services (shops, public services, healthcare services, etc.) are accessible. It pays particular attention to the quality of transport links for reaching the area in question and moving around it independently. As proof of its commitment to accessibility, the town of Balaruc-les-Bains has held the“Destination Pour Tous” labelsince 2027.

When the application was renewed in 2024, the scope was extended beyond Balaruc-les-Bains to the town of Sète, linked by the accessible greenway and also featuring several pockets of accessibility within the Archipel de Thau destination. This expansion is consistent with the new tourism area in place since 2022 following the merger of the tourist offices of Sète, Balaruc-les-Bains, Frontignan, Marseillan and Mèze.

Tourism and disability

The“Tourisme et Handicap” label is the only government-awarded mark granted to tourism professionals who are committed to a quality initiative focused on making leisure activities and holidays accessible to all. “Tourisme et Handicap” is a mark that identifies establishments meeting the specific needs of tourists with disabilities, whether hearing, mental, physical or visual.