Top beach bars and restaurants in the Thau Archipelago

An afternoon lulled by the sound of the waves, lying comfortably on a sun lounger with a cocktail… An evening with your feet in the sand, with local produce and great music on the menu… Fancy it? That’s exactly what the 14 iconic beach huts lining our beautiful coastline have to offer! All you have to do is choose!

Updated on 15 June 2026

What is a paillote?

Originally referring to a straw hut, this word here refers to the private beaches and beach restaurants that line the Mediterranean coast. You can have a drink, grab a bite to eat, hire a sun lounger, and even enjoy various water sports there, generally from April to September.

Tip: As they’re very popular in summer, it’s best to book your paillote a few days in advance to be sure of a spot.
Also, if you’re going in the evening, remember to take a light jumper to keep you warm, as nights by the sea can be chilly.

The thatched huts of Frontignan

The Spot

As the name suggests, this is THE place to be on Aresquiers Beach! With its friendly, family-oriented atmosphere, this must-visit beach bar in Frontignan-Plage is the perfect spot to spend the day lounging on its sun loungers and enjoying dinner in its restaurant. On the menu, you’ll find local cuisine. For something simpler, Le Spot also serves tapas, platters and even hosts brasucade evenings.

Tucked away on the beach next to the 5* Sandaya Les Tamaris campsite, Tam Tam Beach invites you to enjoy a moment of pure relaxation on its 600 m² wooden terrace. You can lounge on sun loungers, single or double air mattresses, hammocks, and even four-poster beds. Nearby, the food truck offers a selection of savoury or sweet treats to enjoy with a drink or a cocktail.

The Canoe

Fancy a bit of travel and something exotic? Head to La Pirogue on Aresquiers Beach. This charming beach hut, with its wooden structure and blue décor, serves up exotic cuisine featuring marinated raw fish specialities. You can eat there, hire a sun lounger and even have a go at paddleboarding.

The Goldfish

Every summer, Le Poisson Rouge restaurant opens its beach hut not far from Les Mouettes beach. Guests can choose between the laid-back atmosphere of this former oyster farm or the view of a small cove and Mont Saint-Clair in the distance. The menu features seafood-inspired dishes, Mediterranean flavours and surprising cocktails to enjoy at your table, at the bar or on a lounger right on the sand.

The beach huts of Sète

La Praia

Want to experience Brazil without leaving Sète? It’s possible at La Praia! In a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, you can enjoy tapas and fruit cocktails in the colours of this South American country, not to mention cuisine with an exotic touch, inspired by the sea. Don’t miss the regular evening concerts either, as well as the pétanque and beach volleyball tournaments on the 3 Digues beach.

La Ola

La Ola is the place to go if you want to spend a day at the beach in a chic yet friendly atmosphere, sampling Sète specialities. You can hire a spacious, comfortable sun lounger; sample its seasonal cuisine, which changes daily depending on the catch of the day, with your feet in the sand; or enjoy Catalan and Andalusian tapas in a natural setting… What makes La Ola special: it’s the oldest beach restaurant in Sète and a long-standing partner of events such as Fiesta’Sète, Jazz à Sète and the Worldwide Festival…

La Parenthèse

Fancy a break during your holiday in the Thau Archipelago? You’ll find the La Parenthèse beach hut on La Baleine beach. Its main attraction: it’s nestled between Mont Saint-Clair and the Villeroy salt marshes, offering a real change of scenery. On the menu: home-cooked food, made with fresh produce and inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. You’ll also find sun loungers to relax on by the sea and a bar.

The Beach Hut

Recognisable by its colours (white and blue), Le Cabanon de la Plage will transport you, the moment you arrive, into a chic and authentic world with its wooden décor. Here you’ll find everything you need to relax by the sea (sun loungers), enjoy a drink (bar) and savour fresh seafood (restaurant).

Cala Juntos

The last beach bar before Marseillan, Cala Juntos on the 3 Digues beach is just as popular with locals as it is with holidaymakers for its tropical atmosphere and lively evenings. When you visit, you’ll discover a world of red and wood, with a transparent bar at the centre that’s lit up at night – perfect for evenings with friends. Take a seat on one of the chairs, whose backs are inscribed with the names of actors and local personalities, and let yourself be tempted by the local, home-cooked cuisine. Don’t miss out on hiring a sun lounger amongst the palm and laurel trees for a relaxing afternoon.

The Canopy

Over at Villeroy Beach, La Canopée sets the tone with its chic atmosphere, natural décor, Mediterranean cuisine, live music (on Friday and Saturday evenings) and activities. Why not settle into a sun lounger or deckchair for the afternoon before joining your children for a game of beach racket, volleyball or football; or enjoy a cocktail and some tapas with friends at the bar-restaurant.

The Umbrella Pine

Fresh dishes, soothing waves and the scent of the sea breeze… This is the setting that awaits you at Le Pin Parasol. Ideally situated on Lazaret Beach, just a stone’s throw from the iconic tree planted in tribute to Georges Brassens, this restaurant offers a menu inspired by the day’s catch and fresh market produce, as well as ice creams.