Agde

Visit Agde, Languedoc-Roussillon

Agde is a lively town on the Herault river a few kilometres inland from the Mediterranean, to the south-west of the Etang de Thau.

I like towns like this! Not overly given over to tourism, it is a bustling place in a pretty location on the banks of the river, where tourism, although important, plays an incidental rather than a over-dominating role, and recommend you escape from the popular beaches at nearby Cap d'Agde and explore the town.

Exploring Agde

Agde has a history dating back at least to Greek times, although the main feature of historical interest that you will see in the town now is the fortified cathedral. Standing on the banks of the river, the 12th century Cathedral of Saint-Etienne is very sombre in appearance (both in colour and style) and is dominated by a large square tower, added two centuries later.

There are also several less imposing religious monuments in Agde including the Church of Saint-André on Place Gambetta and the Church of Saint-Sever, and parts of the 12th century defensive walls can be seen. One of the most impressive houses in Agde is the renaissance style 'Consuls House' at the end of Rue Louis Bages (just south of the cathedral).

Otherwise Agde has little in the way of major sights, and interest is mostly in the quiet streets around the cathedral. Here you can see some of the oldest houses in Agde such as the Hotel Malaval-Laffont (Rue de l'amour) and the Hotel du Viguier Trancaire (Rue de la Placette).

Some of the houses you will pass along the way are very attractive and painted in bright colours, others are much more 'everyday' but all combine to give a good taste of olden-days Agde. It is true that there is a preponderance of dark stone used in the buildings, which does give Agde a rather sombre tone.

There is a marked 'tourist route' which meanders through the backstreets of the town centre, after which you can also wander along the riverside in the center of Agde.

Unusually for towns in this region I was struck by how attractive the outskirts of the town were - there has been a lot of effort in planting attractive trees and bushes along the entry roads and generally 'prettifying' the town. This goes a long way in enhancing the appeal of a town and many other towns could learn from the example set by Agde.

Attractions nearby

The nearby Cap d'Agde is a very popular seaside resort, in part known for its extensive naturist beaches, and there are several small villages of interest around the edges of the Etang de Thau.

The Canal du Midi also passes close to Agde and is very popular with walkers and those who enjoy boating holidays.

Photos of Agde (click any picture to start the gallery)

Tourist classifications for Agde: Village in bloom (ville fleurie) 2*;

Suggested places to visit near Agde, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Pezenas 17km; Loupian 19km; Sete 21km; Beziers 21km; Bouzigues 21km; Balaruc-le-Vieux 24km; Enserune 29km; Cirque de Moureze 36km; Gruissan 39km; Narbonne 41km; Roquebrun 42km; Saint-Chinian 44km; Port-la-Nouvelle 46km; Montpellier 46km; Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert 47km; Lodeve 49km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Agde

Agde tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Etangs du Bagnas - site of natural beauty (4km) : Etang de Thau - site of natural beauty (16km) : Jardin des carrières de Saint-Adrien - remarkable garden (19km) : Parc et jardin du château de Margon - remarkable garden (24km) : Narbonnaise en Méditerranée - regional natural parc (32km) : Cirque du Moureze - site of natural beauty (36km) : Valle du Salagou - grand site of france (39km) : Grotte de la Clamouse - site of natural beauty (44km) :

French version: see Agde (Francais)