{"id":3416,"date":"2026-03-12T00:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/the-perfect-sete-ing\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T00:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T05:20:00","slug":"the-perfect-sete-ing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/the-perfect-sete-ing\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perfect S\u00e8te-ing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our tour today started with a very informative stroll through the town of S\u00e8te. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was settled more than two thousand years ago by the Greeks because of the hill surrounded by water that was easy to defend. The name S\u00e8te is derived from an old Roman word that means \u2018whale\u2019 since the Mont St. Claire hill looked like a whale to the sailors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is also the end point of the canal that was built by the french king to connect the North sea to the Mediterranean. There are now many canals so the town is also known as the \u2018Venice of the Languedoc\u2019 They also have a yearly \u2018canal jousting\u2019 competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The town sits next to the \u00c8tand de Thau, a saltwater lagoon, where there are more than two thousand oyster beds. One of the main industries in town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other is of course wine, since it is the closest port to the Languedoc wine region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After our city tour we were off to an oyster farm to get a closer look. Included was also an oyster tasting with a local wine which paired very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We watched the worker as she cemented baby oysters to a string. This will then hang in the lagoon for about three years before they get harvested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since there is no tide here, they never get out of the water and thus do not grow the strong muscle to close up, which makes them a lot softer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The oyster place was dark and industrial and we were getting worried about where we were going to do the tasting. Our guide took us to a set of stairs and like a true speakeasy, it opened up into a fantastic seafood restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We gorged ourselves with the freshest seafood (and oysters, of course) with the wines made with the local Picpoul grape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After lunch we went to a local wine farm to taste the other local industry, wine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We had a few extra minutes so our guide was able to stop for us to do another tasting and buy some Picpoul wine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A great day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1311-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1311\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A very foggy morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1312-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1312\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Once an island, described by the poet Paul Valery as the &#8216;singular isle&#8221;, this port town owes its existence to Louis XIV and Paul Riquet&#8217;s major canal, built to link the Atlantic and the Mediterranean &#8211; now known as the Canal du Midi &#8211; which led to the creation of this new seaport in July 1666. Here there are neither city walls nor palace. The architectural heritage of S\u00e8te, which was spelt Cette until January 1928, gradually grew up around the development of its port.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1313-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1313\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Canals throughout town.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1314-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1314\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">It was market day!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1315-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1315\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1316-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1316\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Spices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1317-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1317\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There is a local delicacy, an octopus pie, called \u2018Tielle\u2019<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1318-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1318\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1319-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1319\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Royal Canal was built in 1666 by King Louis XIV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1320-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1320\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They were hand building a ship to get ready for a big boat festival that happens once every two years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1321-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1321\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The view of S\u00e8te from on top of Mont St. Claire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1322-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1322\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1323-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1323\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Entering the are where we will learn about oyster farming in the lagoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1324-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1324\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>First she lays out the baby oysters in groups of two and then strings a nylon rope over them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1325-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1325\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After a blob of cement, a third oyster gets placed on top to hold the rope in place<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1326-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1326\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These will now move to the oyster \u2018bed\u2019 in the lagoon to hang there for about three years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1327-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1327\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The upstairs speakeasy restaurant.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1328-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1328\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yum.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1329-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1329\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are two thousand of these oyster beds in the lagoon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1330-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1330\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are about five hundred \u2018farmers\u2019 sharing the oyster beds.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1331-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1331\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Domaine Saint-Andre was created in 1785.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1332-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1332\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1333-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1333\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1334-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1334\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Off to explore the cellars.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/images-posts\/1335-the-perfect-steing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1335\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Au revoir, S\u00e8te.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our tour today started with a very informative stroll through the town of S\u00e8te. It was settled more than two thousand years ago by the Greeks because of the hill surrounded by water that was easy to defend. The name S\u00e8te is derived from an old Roman word that means \u2018whale\u2019 since the Mont St. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3416","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-france"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"mailpoet_newsletter_max":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"monkeydads","author_link":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/author\/monkeydads\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Our tour today started with a very informative stroll through the town of S\u00e8te. It was settled more than two thousand years ago by the Greeks because of the hill surrounded by water that was easy to defend. The name S\u00e8te is derived from an old Roman word that means \u2018whale\u2019 since the Mont St.&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3416\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travel.monkeydads.com\/2026-pieter60\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}