The Best Instagram Spots Around Marseillan
Between the Mediterranean Sea, the Étang de Thau, the Canal du Midi and the distinctive landscapes of the garrigue, the area around Marseillan offers an incredible variety of photogenic places to discover. There’s no need to look for spectacular, man-made backdrops here: the colours, light and typically southern French scenery naturally create beautiful settings for your holiday photos.
For families staying at Les Méditerranées – Camping Beach Garden, Camping Nouvelle Floride or Camping Charlemagne – there’s a huge playground of photo opportunities waiting to be explored.
We’ve rounded up some of the best Instagram spots around Marseillan. They’re all within easy reach of the Les Méditerranées campsites, generally about 20 kilometres, making them perfect for a day out combining beautiful scenery, local heritage and plenty of opportunities for great photos.
La Pointe des Onglous: where the Canal du Midi meets the Étang de Thau
One of the most unusual spots near Marseillan is La Pointe des Onglous. This is where the Canal du Midi reaches the end of its journey and flows into the Étang de Thau. The scenery is wonderfully distinctive, with boats on the canal, oyster farms on the water and the wide horizon of the lagoon all coming together in one view.
The Onglous lighthouse, built in 1838, is the unmistakable landmark of the area.
With children, this is a lovely place for a relaxed walk and a chance to take in the scenery. The shoreline can be explored on foot or by bike.
Photo tip: head there towards the end of the day, when the warm, low sunlight creates beautiful reflections across the water and oyster beds.
Lido Beach: sand, sea and views of Mont Saint-Clair
Between Sète and Marseillan, the Lido stretches out as a long sandy strip separating the Mediterranean Sea from the Étang de Thau. It’s a fantastic setting for holiday photos, with golden sand, dunes, the sea and the distinctive silhouette of Mont Saint-Clair on the horizon.
The Lido is also well suited to family days out. A purpose-built promenade runs alongside the beach and is suitable for bikes, rollerblades and pushchairs. There are terraces where you can stop for a drink or something to eat, while younger children can enjoy the carousel. The greenway also links Sète and Marseillan along a cycleroute of around 12 kilometres.
From Les Méditerranées, it’s easy to turn this into a half-day adventure: cycle for a while, enjoy some time on the beach and, of course, stop for an ice cream or a drink along the way.
Photo tip: capture the children playing by the water with Mont Saint-Clair in the background. Or wait until the sun is low and create a more atmospheric silhouette shot in the sand.
The Pierres Blanches Forest: spectacular views over Sète
On the slopes of Mont Saint-Clair, you’ll find a completely different setting: the Pierres Blanches Forest. This beautiful pine woodland sits in the heart of Sète and is crossed by walking trails, with several viewpoints offering views across the Mediterranean, the Étang de Thau and the Lido.
For photography enthusiasts, the viewpoint with its orientation table is particularly worth seeking out. On a clear day, you can even see as far as the Pyrenees and the famous Mont Canigou.
Photo tip: look for a viewpoint where you can include the pine trees in the foreground and the sea or Étang de Thau in the background. It creates a much more interesting composition than a straightforward panoramic shot.
La Pointe Courte in Sète: colourful fishermen’s huts and little boats
Fancy a change from natural landscapes? Head to La Pointe Courte, one of Sète’s most distinctive neighbourhoods. This former fishing district sits on the shores of the Étang de Thau and has retained much of its authentic character, with small fishermen’s huts, narrow lanes and boats giving the area a unique atmosphere.
It’s the perfect place to take a different kind of photo. Think colourful doors, fishing nets, little boats, unusual architectural details and beautiful reflections on the water.
If you’re visiting with children, it’s easy to explore as a short, leisurely walk. Take your time to look at the details and soak up the atmosphere of this historic fishing neighbourhood.
Naturally, please respect the privacy of local residents and avoid photographing private property.
Photo tip: the little boats and colourful façades make wonderful subjects for close-ups and atmospheric compositions. The morning light is particularly beautiful here.
Bouzigues: the charm of the harbour and oyster farms
On the shores of the Étang de Thau lies Bouzigues, one of the loveliest villages in the area. The village has a strong connection with oyster and shellfish farming, and from the small harbour you can look out across the famous oyster beds, whose cultivation tables form long geometric lines across the water.
You can combine your outing with a stroll through the village streets or a visit to the Musée de l’Étang de Thau. Housed in a former fisherman’s home, the museum tells the story of fishing, oyster and shellfish farming in the region.
There are also boat excursions that allow you to see the oyster farms up close.
Bouzigues is therefore an ideal place to combine a walk, a little local culture and, of course, plenty of photo opportunities.
Photo tip: find a spot by the harbour and use the oyster beds as leading lines in your composition. With the hills around the Étang de Thau in the background, you’ll capture a wonderfully authentic southern French scene.
La Plagette in Mèze: toes in the sand
In Mèze, you’ll find La Plagette, a small sandy beach right on the shores of the Étang de Thau. From the beach, you can look across the water towards Sète, making it a lovely place to use the lagoon as the foreground of your photos.
It’s also a great spot for families. Nearby you’ll find children’s play areas, showers, toilets and benches. A cycle path runs along the coast and during the summer there is a lifeguarded swimming area. There is also free parking opposite the square.
From here, you can continue along the coast by bike towards the harbour and Plage du Sud.
Photo tip: late afternoon is the perfect time to visit. Capture your family or friends as silhouettes, use the sparkling water as a backdrop and include Sète on the horizon. The result will feel much more natural and atmospheric than a traditional group photo.
Les Méditerranées: the perfect base for your holiday album
From the beaches of the Lido and the views from Mont Saint-Clair to the charming villages around the Étang de Thau and the characterful fishermen’s huts of La Pointe Courte and Les Onglous, there are countless opportunities for beautiful holiday photos around Marseillan.
Whether you’re looking to fill an entire family photo album or simply capture that one picture guaranteed to rack up the likes, you never have far to travel.
After a day full of discoveries, return to the comfort of Les Méditerranées. All three 5-star campsites (Beach Garden, Nouvelle Floride and Charlemagne) have everything you need for a relaxing holiday: palm-fringed swimming pools, water parks with slides, playgrounds, entertainment and restaurants. And thanks to the easy connection between the three campsites, you can also enjoy the facilities at all three sites free of charge. In Marseillan, you’re never far from a great photo opportunity. A short drive, the right light and a little curiosity are often all it takes to turn an ordinary day out into a wonderful holiday memory.
