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Port of Sete, located in the south west of France, will
officially inaugurate its newly refurbished cruise terminal next month. The
interior of the terminal, which formerly serviced car ferry traffic, has been
redecorated in blues and greens with a central design themed on the sea,
Catherine Lafon, from the Port of Sete's development department.
'The airy interior has light blue floor and walls with wave
patterns and there are green seats dotted around. Hanging from the ceiling are
white sail-shaped fabrics,' she described.
Lafon is currently on a promotional visit to meet with cruise lines
including P&O Cruises, Fred Olsen, Saga, Swan Hellenic and Thomson. Together
with Stephanie Bleu, promotion manager of the Languedoc-Roussillon region
tourist board they are informing execs about latest developments in the port's
infrastructure and shorex opportunities in Sete and the surrounding areas.
Sete welcomed 13 cruise calls this year and is expecting that number to rise to
20 in 2011 said Lafon when Thomson Dream will visit 12 times. 'Thomson is
returning to Sete after a lapse of five years or so and we are happy,' she
added.
On October 1, 2010 Saga Pearl II will be visiting the port when Georges Freche,
president of the regional council, officially opens the newly refurbished
terminal which was finished at the end of June. In addition to the interior
makeover, the €200,000 investment also included resurfacing of the parking area
in front of the building which can accommodate up to ten coaches at a time plus
new fencing and the removal of the old customs and immigration buildings. There
is also a shop inside selling products and souvenirs from the local area.
Sete is also known as the Little Venice of Languedoc with its many canals lined
with colourful facades. The port town has celebrated a famous medieval-style
water jousting event every August 25, since 1743.
Sete offers two berths for visiting cruise ships including one quay close to the
town centre for ships up to 200mtr in length. Another berth is available from
where a shuttle service to the town centre is provided by Sete Cruise Club.
Aside from Sete itself, the Languedoc-Roussillon region offers a wide range of
tours including four UNESCO World heritage gems. Tours lasting from four to nine
hours include trips to Pezenas and Valmagne Abbey(4hrs 30), Sete and the Thau
Lagoon(4 hrs), the Canal du Midi(4hrs), Montpellier and Chateau de
Flaugergues(5hrs), Exploring Roman Nimes(5hrs), Narbonne(5 hrs), Uzes and the
Pont du Gard(9hrs) and Carcassone(9hrs) and Aigues-Mortes(4hrs). |
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