Transport and access | Archipel de Thau

Welcome to the gateway to the Mediterranean

Nestled between the sea and the lagoon, the Thau Archipelago brings together a collection of authentic towns and villages around the Thau Lagoon: the unique town of Sète, Mèze, Bouzigues, Frontignan, Balaruc-les-Bains and their surrounding areas. This diverse region, with its fishing and marina ports, vineyards, oyster farms, spa resort and fine sandy beaches, is easily accessible from all over France by train, car or plane.

– By train: The stations at Sète and Frontignan, both served by the Bordeaux–Marseille line, allow you to reach the heart of the Thau Archipelago by train.

– By motorway: From the A9, take exit 33 to reach Sète, or the Montpellier-Ouest exit to reach Frontignan and Balaruc-les-Bains.

– Via the A-road: The A112 runs alongside the Thau lagoon and connects all the towns in the area directly.

– By plane: Montpellier-Méditerranée Airport, located 30 minutes’ drive away, offers regular domestic and international flights.

by bike

The Thau Archipelago is ideal for exploring by bike: cycle paths along the coast, quiet lanes around the lagoon, gentle terrain and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re cycling along the coast or round the lagoon, a bike is undoubtedly the best way to take your time exploring the area. All you have to do is choose your route…

Cycling for locals

🚲 Long-term electric bike hire

Do you live in one of the 14 municipalities of Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée? The VéloSAM service allows you to rent an electric bike (or scooter / cargo bike) for 3, 6 or 12 months. To find out more or sign up, visit: levelosam.fr

💶 Buy an electric bike with financial assistance

You can also buy your own electric bike thanks to Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée, which offers a grant covering 25% of the purchase price, capped at €200, with possible bonuses of €50 (purchase from a local shop) or €50 (second-hand bike / electrification) depending on the circumstances. To check your eligibility and apply, visit their portal: agglopole.fr

bike parks with your feet in the sand

In recent years, the town of Sète has installed bicycle parking facilities along the promenade and the Lido cycle path. In response to beachgoers’ desire to have their bikes even closer at hand, an initiative was launched in 2023 by a restaurant owner to develop a scheme for cycle racks directly on the sand.

The scheme, which involves installing posts on the beach fitted with rings to which cyclists can secure their bikes, has received very positive feedback from users. The City of Sète has therefore decided to take inspiration from this and will, from this summer (2024), provide seven parking areas, each with a capacity of six to eight spaces, installed at the pedestrian access points to the following beaches:

Lazaret Beach
Fountains / Place Thérond
Fontaine Beach
Le Cube
Pump Track
Les 3 Digues Beach
Jalabert Beach.

Please note: These will be available for a period of 8 months and will be dismantled at the end of the season.

Public transport and shuttle buses

Plan your train journey to the Thau Archipelago

With several stations in the area, the Thau Archipelago is easily accessible by train. Whether you arrive at Sète, Frontignan, Marseillan-Plage or Vic-Mireval, take advantage of sustainable transport options to reach the various towns in the area. Use the module below, provided by SNCF Connect, to quickly find your next journey in just a few clicks.

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by train with Occitanie Rail Tour

Set off on a journey aboard the liO Train to discover this beautiful and vast region, which will reveal all its secrets to you on the Occitanie Rail Tour. Must-see stops await you, from the countryside to the mountains, a relaxing break by the Mediterranean, and a visit to the most beautiful towns in Occitanie.

Occitanie Rail Tour Pass – €10 a day for unlimited travel throughout the region!

The Occitanie Rail Tour guarantees savings, reduces your environmental impact, and lets you travel at a leisurely pace through a region as vast as a country, whilst meeting new people at every stop.

In partnership with liO Train TER/SNCF, the Occitanie Rail Tour Pass is available at a special, discounted rate: €10 per day for unlimited travel, for 2 to 6 consecutive days!

– €20 for 2 consecutive days of unlimited travel throughout Occitanie on liO Train
– €30 for 3 consecutive days
– €40 for 4 consecutive days
– €50 for 5 consecutive days
– €60 for 6 consecutive days

my car-free holiday

Exploring the Thau Archipelago without a car means taking the time to see the area in a different light. Whether by train, bus, bike, water bus or carpool, there are plenty of ways to reach the towns and villages, follow the lagoon, get to the beaches or set off to explore the countryside without relying on your own vehicle. To plan your journeys, find the best routes and enjoy a simpler, freer and more carefree stay…

Follow the guide

Services and transport

O'THAUBUS — MINIBUS PRIVÉ — VISITES ET NAVETTES

Electric charging points

Car hire

Campsites and caravan parks

Taxi / Private hire vehicle

by carpool

Are you planning a weekend break or a longer stay in the Thau Archipelago? Choose a more environmentally friendly holiday by opting for greener modes of transport, such as carpooling.

BlaBlaCar Daily, a 100% free carpooling service, is ideal for getting around our region and reaching one of our 14 local authorities. Thanks to financial support from Agglopôle, drivers receive between €1 and €2 for each journey* (depending on the distance travelled) and it’s completely free for passengers. To use the service, passengers and drivers simply need to download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Simply enter your departure and arrival points, along with your travel times, and you can easily find other people making the same journey in your area.