A romantic weekend in Balaruc-les-Bains

If you’re coming to Balaruc-les-Bains for a romantic weekend away, it’s surely to relax – and you’ve made the right choice! As France’s leading spa resort, the town is also home to the Mediterranean’s first thermal spa: O’Balia (reopening in 2026).

So, even if you’re not here for a spa treatment or a spa break, you can still enjoy the benefits of the thermal water during a massage and extend the experience with a body and/or facial treatment at the “ La parenthèse O’Balia ” located in the heart of the Balaruc-les-Bains thermal baths.

After this relaxing interlude, we invite you to take a stroll along the Georges Brassens and Laurent Spinosi promenade. Stretching for around two kilometres, it offers a gentle re-connection with the bustling life of Balaruc-les-Bains, as it also runs alongside the Thau lagoon and its breathtaking scenery: Mont Saint-Clair in Sète; Mèze, the Mediterranean’s leading small-scale fishing port; Mont Saint-Loup, at the foot of which the Greek town of Agde stands; Bouzigues, the cradle of shellfish farming; and Marseillan, made famous by its Noilly Prat cellars.

It’s also the ideal route for touring the Balaruc-les-Bains peninsula, catching a glimpse of the town’s beaches and, in the distance, the shellfish farming areas; and, at the end of the route, see the source of the Vise, a funnel 100 metres in diameter; or take a few romantic selfies with Georges Brassens and Laurent Spinosi thanks to the trompe l’oeil artwork along this walk.

Tip: Why not surprise your loved one by treating them to an ice cream along the way, thanks to the many restaurants and ice-cream parlours dotted all along the route.

Fancy a day-long cruise up the Canal du Midi? That’s exactly what Les bateaux du Soleil invites you to experience. Whether you’d like to explore the Trois Yeux bridge; catch a glimpse of the Libron’s engineering works, which are unique in the world; sail as far as the Portiragnes locks; learn more about the Ariège department or the town of Béziers; or cross the Orb canal bridge… Anything is possible!

Your cruise will, of course, be accompanied by commentary from your captain on the history of the Canal du Midi and its various structures, as well as the flora and fauna that surround it. And why not make this moment even more unforgettable with a meal to complement your visits?

Please note: The departure point is Agde. Shuttle buses are available to allow you to set off for the day from Balaruc-les-Bains.

If you’d like to prolong these moments of tranquillity in the heart of nature, we invite you to visit the Ancient Mediterranean Garden. No sooner will you have stepped through the gates of this garden, dedicated to the study of Mediterranean plant species and their uses, than you will be transported back to the heart of Antiquity.

Designed as a true invitation to travel and meditation, the “JAM” features no fewer than seven themed areas centred on agriculture, horticulture, the sacred, medicine, magic, cuisine and cosmetics. Amidst the pergolas, arbours, fountains and small amphitheatre, let your gaze wander through this setting that blends nature with elements of ancient architecture.

Tip: Guided tours are available from the staff at the Jardin Antique Méditerranéen to learn more about its history.