Musée de la Mer
Free museum on the history of the port of Sète, with a collection of fishing boat models and two rooms devoted to the joutes languedociennes (traditional water jousting).
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About the museum
The Musée de la Mer opened in May 2014 and is run by the City of Sète, for which it is the fifth museum. It traces the history of the port since the 18th century, also highlighting the people who built it and its traditions, through paintings, photographs, interactive terminals and films.
The main hall houses the collection of fishing boat models made by André Aversa, a former ship’s carpenter, who gave it to the city. The ensemble was added to the inventory of Monuments historiques in 2010. It follows the evolution of the Sète fleet, from lateen-rigged trawlers to the last wooden trawlers.
Two other rooms are devoted to the joutes languedociennes: visitors can see shields and lances, training carts, jousters’ flags, and old and new costumes.
Highlights
- Fishing boat model collection by André Aversa
- Two rooms devoted to the joutes languedociennes
- History of the port of Sète since the 18th century
- Free admission
Permanent exhibitions
- Maquettes de bateaux de pêche d’André Aversa – The main hall presents the fishing boat models that illustrate the history of the Sète fleet.
- Les joutes languedociennes – Two rooms show the jousters’ equipment: shields, lances, training carts, flags and costumes.
- Founded
- 2014
- Operated by
- Ville de Sète
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission for everyone.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Label Hérault Accessible. Access via the secondary entrance, which has a video intercom; two accessible parking spaces; a lift serving all floors, with audio announcements and tactile markers; and accessible toilets. For hearing-impaired visitors: an audio guide, occasional tours in sign language, and a subtitled film translated into sign language.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sète – Plan de la Corniche · 17-min walk
Bus: “Sète – Plan de la Corniche” stop (lines Pinet-Pomerols-Florensac, Marseillan and Sète).
By car
Parking available
Parking for cars, coaches and bicycles.
- Accessible parking
By car: A9 motorway, Balaruc-les-Bains exit, then about 14 km to Sète. Sète railway station is about 2.7 km away (32 minutes on foot).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Public toilets, an electric vehicle charging point and bicycle parking.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| Good to know | Self-guided visits are possible at any time; guided tours for groups by reservation at +33 4 99 04 71 55. |
