Bouzigues

Musée de l'Étang de Thau

Interesting museum all about life in and on the Étang de Thau in all its forms. The first part of the exhibition charts the history of the shellfish industry in Bouzigues from the 19th century to present, including many artefacts from fishermen past and present. If the subsequent aquarium of étang marine life, complete with cooking suggestions for each of the species displayed, seems a bit farcical, you will enjoy the third part of the visit much more. This is a rather in-depth look at the biology of the étang, with a focus on conservation and finding a balance which works for wildlife, the fishing industry and tourists equally. The museum is kid-friendly, and most of the information panels contain translations in English and German.

Open Feb–Nov, generally Tue–Sun 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–18:00, with some seasonal variation·Adults €5, children €3.50, under 8 years free

Chez la Tchepe

Jean-Christophe Cabrol has been serving his own étang-grown oysters at his restaurant since 1989. You can dine in on a selection of mixed platters, or take away.

Tue–Sun May–Sept 09:00–21:00, Oct–Mar 09:00–19:00·Platters: One person €16 incl. glass of wine, two people €32-€44, incl. bottle of wine · Outdoor seating

Chez Alex & Lucie

Succulent and fresh food served in generous portions, and with friendly service. When it's busy, service can be slow, so it's worth arriving early to beat the crowds.

Wed–Sun 12ː00–14ː30, 19ː00–21ː00·€25 and €32 three-course menus, à la carte mains €15-€25

Le Grand Bleu

A friendly and competent service complements some very fresh and delicious seafood. Pre-order for bouillabaisse (Mediterranean fish stew). If you can, try to be seated upstairs for a better view over the water.

Tue–Sun 12ː00–14ː30, 19ː00–21ː30·Three-course menu €27-€39, à la carte mains €20-€25

Le Petit Bouzigues

Don't tell anyone, but... this could be the best restaurant in Bouzigues. One chef, one waitress, 16 covers. Intimate setting and superb cooking "à la plancha". Chef Antoine's speciality is octopus, but he seems to be able to turn his hand to all of the local seafood. Booking is essential.

Tue–Thu 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–20:30, Fri Sat 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–21ː45·€25 and €30 three-course menus, à la carte mains €18.50-€24

Le 29 au bord de l'étang

Remember "Le 29" is pronounced "le vingt-neuf" in French, rather than "le twenty-nineǃ"

Good, solid food. Serves a plethora of typical seafood, as well as burgers "à la française": cheeseburger with quality steak and camembert/reblochon, chicken or swordfish burger with Mediterranean salad; exciting stuff! Reservations by telephone or in person.

Tue Wed 12:00-14:00, Fri–Mon 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–21ː30, Thu closed off-season, otherwise 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–21ː30·Three-course menu €16.90, €22, €30. Two-course children's menu €10, shellfish platters €16-€58, à la carte mains €16-€24

Mitcho Pizza

French-style artisan pizza made to order. Mitcho is a popular local character, and cooks at a leisurely pace while chatting to his customers. If you don't wish to wait you can order ahead by phone.

Every evening except Mon, 17ː30 until custom dries up a couple of hours later·33 cm pizzas €7.50-€10, calzones €10-€10.50, dessert pizzas €9

Le Globe

Sports bar that also serves coffee. Mostly frequented by locals. Free wifi and friendly landlady.

Every day 07ː00–22ː00

L'Atelier des Artisans

Les Savons de Bouzigues

Specialists in hand-made soaps and cosmetics, which the owner makes herself. Other craft products from local artisans also sold.

Daily 10ː00–19ː00

La Perle Marine

Faultless cooking, and the moules are especially good. Aside from the usual Bouzigues fare, their in-house specialities are mixed seafood brochettes (skewers). The service is inconsistent, depending on who you get.

Wed–Sat 12:00–14:30, 19:00–21:00, Sun Mon 12:00-14:00, Tue closed·€16 two-course and €28.50 three-course menus

Plagette

This so-called "little beach" is ironically the slightly larger of the two. It has a net for volleyball, and the advantage of much less seaweed. Views over the oyster beds towards Mèze and, on a clear day, the Pyrenees.

Fishing port and marina

Port de pêche et port de plaisance

The town's delightful little harbour should be the focus of your visit. Traditional wooden fishing boats are moored alongside flashier-looking yachts and all sorts of pleasurecraft. There are four different jetties to walk down, each with its own character and slightly different view. Take a wander past the colourful shack on the easternmost quay nearest the plage des Pyramides; you might see the boat repairman in his blue overalls pottering about on the various crafts under his care, not really working as such, but looking, listening, musing at what needs doing, and often pausing to greet passersby.

Ferme Zoo

Cute little petting zoo that is home to all sorts of cuddly critters - goats, pigs, donkeys, deer, cows, emus, llamas - and their equally friendly keepers. Onsite, there are a picnic area and children's playground.

July-Augː Tue–Sun 10ː00–19ː00; Sept-Junː Wed, Sat, Sun, bank holidays 14ː00–18ː00. On rainy days, phone to verify opening·Adults and children over 11 €6, children aged 2-11 €4, under 2 free. Free cup of feed for every child; additional cups €0.50. Cash only

Guided pleasure boat trips

Bateau-promenade Bleu Marin

Hop aboard the Bleu Marin for a guided visit to the oyster and mussel beds, including a chance to see the shellfish at various stages of their life cycle as they grow on underwater ropes from larvae to harvest. The commentary is very comprehensive and peppered with banter, though unfortunately is only conducted in French. However, the chatty crew of two warmly welcome English-speaking passengers and provide sheets to read which give a rough summary of the commentary.

Daily departures Apr–Oct times: Apr, Octː 15ː00; May, Jun, Sepː 11ː00, 14ː30, 16ː00; Jul–Aug: 11ː00, 14ː30, 16ː00, 17ː30. Group reservation only Nov–Mar. The visit lasts approximately 1 hour·Adults €12, children aged 3-16ː €8

Hire a motor boat

Sinaué

Environmentally-friendly and silent electric boats which you can rent without a permit, and take for a day's fishing, sightseeing or offshore swimming. The company train you in navigation and safety before letting you loose, and can recommend itineraries upon request. Wheelchair-accessible boat available by reservation. Contact the company to confirm operation and prices.

1 May–30 June: Mon by appointment only, Tue–Fri 10:00–12:00/14:00–17:00, Sat Sun 10:00–17:00; 1 July–31 Aug: Mon–Fri 10:30–12:30/13:30–18:00, Sat Sun 10:00–18:00; 1 Sept–31 Oct Tue–Sun 14:00–17:00, other times by appointment only

L'Elixir

Tobacconist and newsagent which also sells some souvenirs and local wine

Tue–Fri 07.00–12.30 and 15.00–19.30; Sat 07.30 –12.30 and 15.00–19.30 Sun; 08.00–12.30

Musée du Sapeur-Pompier

Firefighters' Museum

A hidden gem of an attraction run by volunteers who are themselves firefighters. The museum is home to a great many objects associated with the Pompiers (helmets, uniforms, fire engines) from 1780 to the present day.

Guided tours in French, upon arrangement·Free; donations welcome

Plage de la Pyramide

A space has been cleared through the seaweed for swimming - stay between the floats. If you paddle softly enough, you will likely see fish basking in the warm shallows. Views over to Balaruc and Sète, and easy access to walks along the étang (see below).

La Petrie Artisan Boulanger Pâtissier

bakery and cake shop

Great local bakery which makes excellent bread; try the aveyronnais rather than a baguette. Tasty but small selection of savoury snacks and sweet pâtisseries. On the downside, the viennoiseries (croissants et al.) are disappointing, and if you ever manage to raise a smile from the bloke behind the counter, you're a special person indeed.

Tue–Sat 07ː00–13ː00, 16ː30–19:30; Sun 07ː00–13ː00, Mon closed

OC'API

minimarket

Fresh fruit and veg, small deli counter with meats and cheeses, regional produce, tinned goods, alcohol, beach items and other essentials

Daily 08:00–11:00, 15:00–18ː00

Old Bouzigues

Discover the pretty backstreets and squares of the old town, admiring the colourful buildings which press in on either side. Try not to miss the old on chemin des Aiguilles, or the charming little on the south side of the town church, rue Jean Jaurès. The (Église Saint-Jacques le Majeur, daily 10:00–19:00. Free.) merits a look inside, as it is the final resting place of the feudal lords of Bouzigues. Finally, if you're standing on, and wondering why half of the square is 2 m higher than the other half, it is because this was the original harbour; where people and traffic now pass through was once underwaterǃ Take care on some of the narrower streets, as some drive their vehicles recklessly fast.

Bastille Day

Fête Nationale

Though national celebrations occur on 14 July, Bouzigues is typical of small towns in conducting its major festivities the evening before. Expect a torchlit procession, patriotic fireworks, and a public ball on the belvedere, with food, drinks, music and dancing, to last late into the night. Most people spend the 14th en famille, with some choosing to stay at home, perhaps tuning into the televised military parade in Paris, or else attending the regional celebrations in Montpellier. In Bouzigues, the town council puts on family-friendly games and activities at the port all afternoon.

13–14 July 2019

Bouzigues Carnival

Carnaval de Bouziges

A procession of costumed performers and floats accompanies the effigy of "Monsieur Carnaval" through the streets to the above the harbour, where he is burnt at the setting of the sun. Join the townspeople for a costumed ball in the that same evening.

6 April 2019·Free

Feast of Saint James

Fête de Saint-Jacques

Celebrating Bouzigues' patron saint, the main event takes place on Sunday. The townspeople march to music from the town hall to the saint's namesake church. That evening, a funfair and the obligatory ball take place at the port.

26–28 July 2019·Free

Feast of Saint Peter

Fête de Saint-Pierre

This festival of the patron saint of those lost at sea begins with mass in the parish church, and continues with a procession of local children dressed in traditional Languedocian costume to the harbour. Here, boats are blessed by the priest and a jet of water is fired in salute. At nightfall, a small boat on the harbour wall is ceremonially set on fire.

30 June 2019·Free

Oyster Fair

Foire aux Huîtres

Some 20,000 visitors descend on Bouzigues for an annual celebration of all things oyster. At the heart of things are the shellfish producers, whose delicacies you can sample in abundance, but also present are a multitude of other local food, wine and craft artisans. There are a number of events to keep you occupied, from 'best quality oyster' competitions, to tasting workshops, live music performances and fireworks on the Sunday evening.

10–11 Aug 2019

Flea markets

Brocantes de Bouzigues

Three times a year, stalls selling furniture, linen and all sorts of trinkets turn up to line the seafront. Most of it may be worthless, if harmless, bric-a-brac, but you never know when you might stumble across a gem...

22 April, 10 June, 15 Aug 08:00–18:00·Free

Voie Verte

A former railway line turned cycle trail and footpath, links to Mèze in the west and Balaruc in the east across 12 km. The casual visitor will much prefer the route east out of Bouzigues, which runs very close to some gorgeous wetlands and mudflats, allowing you to spot the local birdlife. Hunting buzzards, graceful pink flamingos and various species of heron (grey and night herons, great and little egrets) are common, and the lucky may glimpse the blue flash of a passing kingfisher, or else catch sight of a red squirrel hurrying about its business. It is possible to go as far as Balaruc-les-Bains, but the route loses most of its charm after the large equestrian centre.

Le Dressing

Vintage clothing and the best postcards depicting Bouzigues.

Tue–Friː 10ː30–12ː30, 16ː00–19ː30, Sat–Sun 10ː30–19ː30; Mon closed

Marché de Bouzigues

twice-weekly market

Very small market (about four stalls) selling local produce.

Tue Fri mornings