A picturesque port town on the Etang de Thau in Hérault, Mèze sits between Montpellier and Béziers. Perfect for family beach breaks, foodie escapes and heritage-minded holidays, it’s a wonderfully walkable town for an idyllic spring or summer weekend. There’s a small choice of appealing accommodation options in the area, including self-catering villas and charming B&Bs — as our pick of the best places to stay in Mèze illustrates!

Mèze’s old town is a maze of vaulted passageways and narrow cobbled streets dotted with cafés, boutiques and eateries. The nearby 12th-century Romanesque Chapel of Saint-Martin-de-Caux is not to be missed, nor are the exhibitions held in the Château de Girard or the Chapel of Penitents. Amble along the town's medieval ramparts, savour locally sourced oysters at the bustling Sunday market, or soak up the sunshine at the Plage du Tambourin.

The harbour is a hive of activity, with boats bobbing in the water, fishermen hauling in the day’s catch from the lagoon, and waterside bars and restaurants filling up as afternoon gives way to evening. Within walking distance of the best places to stay in Mèze, this is the perfect spot to savour apéritifs and fresh seafood with family and friends.