Once a significant port for wine shipments, the village now concerns itself primarily with the cultivation of oysters, the distillation of Noilly Prat and the pursuit of Arte de Vivre.

It is at Marseillan too that the Canal Du Midi empties into the Mediterranean, and as such it is well known by sailors and shellfish aficionados as one of the gems of the Mediterranean.

Marseillan is a classic South of France fishing village, full of pretty stone houses and small, independent shops such as the legendary Taverne du Port, which featured in Rick Stein's culinary tour of the Canal du Midi, and more recently in Oz & James’ big wine adventure where the boys set out on the etang to taste oysters and white wine with local wine maker Jean Claude Mas.

On the Rive Gauche itself, only a few meters away from Port Rive Gauche's luxury holiday rentals, you will find a host of small bars and restaurant from the traditional Taverne Du Port to the Maison De Camille, a friendly creperie with a chic home wares and furniture boutique off to one side. Owned by the same family, the Côte Sud offers fresh seafood and shellfish, while the Spanish Influenced restaurant next door serves superb tapas all day. Across the port on the Rive Droit, you can taste the original vermouth, as good in cooking as it is with ice and lemon. After your induction you can stroll down to the Chateau du Port for a classy meal under the watchful eye of the Pourcel brothers, whose culinary empire includes the three Michelin star Jardin de Sens.

To the left of the Rive Gauche the “Tabarka” a small local beach with communal Barbeques, and a childrens playground and skatepark.

Just 200 metres back from the port Marseillan village boasts a daily covered market selling fresh fish, meats and vegetables, as well as a host of bakeries, delicatessens, and a number of small bars, as well as Le Table d’Emilie, one of the most celebrated restaurants on the coast.

Immediately beyond Marseillan, the Orb River Valley and the Regional Park of the High Languedoc, where rocky gorge competes with vineyard, garrigae and ancient viaduct to create one of the most enticing landscapes in the South of France. And of course if you travel only 40 minutes' north, you'll find yourself in Montpellier, France's favourite city.

Nearby the towns of Agde, Béziers and Pézenas all have winding streets, traditional architecture, superb views, good restaurants and interesting markets and shops offering the best of local gastronomic and artisan produce. Agde’s “evil twin” the Cap d’Agde, is just a short drive away, where you will find Europe’s largest naturist resort, as well as a host of (clothed) sandy beaches, beach bars and restaurants, shops, clubs and anything else that tickles your fancy!

For the more traditional, take a day or two to explore the myriad vineyards of the littoral, whose produce includes the zesty and fresh ‘Picpoul de Pinet’, best sampled with a dozen or so local oyster…

And when satiated, retire to your luxury holiday rental at Port Rive Gauche, where suites sleeping four cost as little as €170 per suite. Contact us for availability by clicking here.

“Like St Tropez probably looked before Brigitte Bardot decided to grace the beach there (Marseillan) is staggeringly pretty, with one of the most unspoiled ports in France. You can while away many an afternoon at the Château du Port restaurant, drinking wine and watching the boats go by….. “

- “Mad About The Med”, The Sunday Times, June 2006