Georges Brassens, USA News (Sète, France): Seen from afar, Sète presents a postcard-like silhouette with its historic town and small apartment buildings climbing the verdant Mont Saint-Clair. This charming port and resort city in the south of France overlooks the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Thau lagoon on the other. Perhaps due to its photogenic landscapes, artists from the region and beyond choose to settle here. Others were born here, including Paul Valéry and Georges Brassens, who would have turned 105 on October 22, with the 45th anniversary of his death marked at the end of the month.
Known as the singular island, Sète maintains a strong dedication to art and culture through its numerous galleries and cultural events. Several art trails are available, most notably the tour following the footsteps of Brassens across locations tied to his life and lyrics. The walk titled From Little Georges to Great Brassens serves as a suitable introduction or companion to the Espace Georges Brassens museum.
Exploring the Hometown Landmarks
In the old town where young Georges grew up, visitors can spot the facade of his parents’ house and the building where he was born. A walk leads to the Simone-Veil park, frequented during his childhood and adolescence, and further on to his high school. This route requires sturdy footwear as Sète is built on elevations, and it conveniently leads near the Halles de Sète for local seafood and gastronomy before strolling through the pedestrian shopping streets.
A visit to La Pointe-Courte, a traditional fishing neighborhood where the artist met his friends, offers a glimpse of local life where people enjoy oysters near the water. Nearby stands the Molière theater, where the local singer performed multiple times under the management of his close friend Henry Delpont. On Quai Adolphe-Merle sits the pied-à-terre where the poet retreated when fame became overwhelming.
Museum, Burial Site, and Practical Information
Toward the center, terraces line the canals where visitors can taste local specialties such as tielle, an octopus pie with aromatic tomato sauce. Along the coast, a promenade on the Corniche leads past the Théâtre de la Mer, which hosts summer events such as the Quand je pense à Fernande festival celebrating French chanson in the spirit of Brassens. The route passes the Bois de mon cœur green space and concludes at Corniche beach near a stele featuring lines from Supplique pour être enterré sur la plage de Sète.
Across the island on the Thau lagoon side is the Espace Georges Brassens, featuring a renewed scenography launched in 2024 highlighting his life, family, and career. Across the street rests the family tomb in Le Py cemetery. Self-guided tours utilize tourist office brochures, while Jeanne Corporon offers guided tours every third Sunday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
Sète is located about 30 kilometers from Montpellier, taking 35 minutes by car or 20 minutes by train. Public transit and bicycle rentals are recommended due to congested traffic during peak season. An annual festival titled 22 V’là Georges runs from October 22 to 29 in honor of the poet.
