Local shopping

There are plenty of shops to browse and choose between; excellent bread, local fruit and vegetables, and two supermarkets.

Local growers and fishermen have stalls in the covered market, open three days a week, and on Tuesdays a typical open market sets up in the squares and streets of the centre. In high summer there is an evening Friday craft market.

Oysters and mussels are widely available from the many producers' shops, or wander up to the Port conchylicole, and buy them almost just out of the sea.

There's a good choice of take-away food: pizzas and pasta; fresh roast chickens and beef from the butcher; and elegant dishes from a traîteur.

Marseillan is the home of Noilly Prat, famous world-wide for the dry white vermouth, made from locally grown grapes. Their premises are intriguing to visit - and their aperitifs a most welcome present.

The Languedoc is the world's largest vineyard: the wines are divided broadly between Vin de Pays, mostly made from individual grape varieties (Syrah, Chardonnay, Grenache, etc.), and Appellation d'Origine Controlée (AOC) wines largely carefully blended from several varieties. The Etang de Thau is  well-known for its Picpoul de Pinet white wine: ideal with shellfish.

You are the best judge of what you really like: enjoy a bottle over dinner, then head for the vineyard and get to know the grower.

La Mie d'Oc, baker

Oysters from Mme Azaïs, Port Conchylicole

François and Vincent Pugibet,
Domaine de la Colombette.