Bouzigues

[[file:Bouzigues banner Near the Étang de Thau - Near the Étang de Thau}}

{{featurenomination|otbp]] Bouzigues is a lovely coastal town in Hérault, southern France. It is known above all for its oyster production and numerous quality seafood restaurants. Bouzigues can be thought of as a seaside resort without the resort, with very limited lodging and not too many tourists. It is a perfect getaway for anyone who wants to enjoy a slower pace of life.

Bouzigues Halal Travel Guide

Bouzigues, Hérault 08 - The waterfront. You can see the square tower of the church to the left.

Orientation

Bouzigues is on the north side of a large tidal salt water lagoon called the Étang de Thau, which extends 5 kilometers south to the Mediterranean Sea. The sea water flows freely into the lagoon, fish and boats can come and go as they please and the lagoon's shoreline is tidal. However and the étang is sheltered from the worst of the winter storms and Bouzigues still enjoys the atmosphere of a traditional fishing port and the sunny and warm climate that draws so many to the south of France. The urban core is a dense medieval old town, with narrow streets and warmly pastel-coloured houses of two and three storeys, while further out are a few streets of modern villas. At the west end of the seafront are the shellfish industry's warehouses and stores and at the other end and the cute little harbour. From here, you can gaze over miles of oyster beds across to the distant holiday complexes of Sète and Marseillan, while the Mediterranean scrub behind is scattered with vineyards and the odd olive grove.

The town's portentous title of oyster capital of France (capitale de l'huître) belies the fact that Bouzigues is for most of the day a small, sleepy community, with only around 1,700 residents. It only really comes alive just before lunchtime, when busloads of hungry travellers arrive to promenade up and down the waterfront in search of the perfect fruits de mer. Then, between 12:00 and 14:00, each restaurant is packed with people chowing down on oysters, mussels, razor-clams, prawns, sea bass and red mullet. With lunch service over, visitors gradually disperse and Bouzigues drifts comfortably back into its peaceful ways. With the crowds gone, you can soak up sun on its two beautiful beaches, wander its shady medieval backstreets and keep track of the comings and goings of the marina - if not in solitude, at least with the feeling you are privy to a cleverly-guarded secret.

History

20 August 1944| Visitors will note the name of one of the streets which runs away from the port - rue du 20 août 1944. This was the site and date of one of the most dramatic moments in Bouzigues' history.

WW 2 was in full swing and the Allies had landed on both of France's coasts and the Germans were on the run. There was a munitions factory on the quayside, which the Germans had determined to be tactically destroyed and abandoned. Unfortunately, as the soldiers were making the final preparations to leave, two local men were caught smuggling a stolen bomb out of the factory in a wheelbarrow. As punishment and they were taken as hostages and cruelly shut in the factory to be blown up with it.

The almighty explosion destroyed the entire quayside neighbourhood including several families' homes; boats moored in the harbour shattered and sank, while several passersby were injured and one killed. All this carnage is why the harbourside has modern buildings, while everything around is medieval.

As for the two hostages and they had a near-miraculous escape - the soldier responsible for imprisoning them neglected to lock the door of the factory. Whether this was a mistake, or a conscious and heroic act of mercy disobeying evil orders, is lost to the mists of time.

The name "Bouzigues" comes from the Occitan Bosigas, which means "fallow land" or "wasteland". Indeed and the area's early settlers seemed to live entirely from fishing and gathering wild fruits and therefore did not need to cultivate their land. These fisherfolk were troglodytes - meaning they lived in caves hewn from the soft calcareous rock by winter and in tents by summer. Historians estimate the caves as being where the row of restaurants now stands on the seafront promenade and indeed some of the buildings there are still troglodytic. Although cultivation wouldn't happen for centuries, oysters had been a major part of the local diet since the time of the Phoenicians, enjoyed alongside all the same delicacies you can sample today.

The first vineyards were planted in the 15th century, but the bulk of Bouzigues' inhabitants remained fishermen. Nonetheless, by 1670, trade had increased to such a level that the town needed its own port rather than using that of Sète. The local baron, Timothée de Geoffroy, rented out a parcel of land to the town for the creation of a port, charging the generous rent of two hens per annum! The admittedly modest harbour was constructed as a whole town endeavour, with wealthier citizens providing building materials and the cattle to pull wagons and keep everyone fed and the poorer inhabitants working as labourers. This port was sited not in the current location, but at what is now place du Général de Gaulle. The 21st century visitor will still notice the square is on two levels; the raised platform was the original quayside. The 100 metres or so of town to the south was reclaimed from the étang in 1820 and the port moved to its current site.

Surprisingly, oyster and mussel farming was only pioneered at the turn of the 20th century and then only as a tentative and at that time utterly unique, small-scale attempt for fishermen to have a more dependable catch. The only other way to get oysters, clams and coquilles Saint-Jacques was to dive up to eight metres below the surface, with no scuba gear of course. After the Second World War and the marine farming industry took off and most fishermen switched professions until the shellfish farms were at the scale you see today. The Bouzigues method of oyster and mussel culture, growing the shellfish on ropes suspended below the water, has since been copied all over the world. .

Buy Souvenirs from Bouzigues

• L'Atelier des Artisans - Les Savons de Bouzigues | 17 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.447569, 3.657347 ☎ +33 4 30 72 64 03 - Specialists in hand-made soaps and cosmetics, which the owner makes herself. Other craft products from local artisans also sold.

• L'Elixir Rue de la Poterne 43.447205, 3.658394 ☎ +33 4 67 78 75 98 - Tobacconist and newsagent which also sells some souvenirs and localfruit cocktail

• Le Dressing Rue de la Poterne 43.447104, 3.657892 ☎ +33 6 73 49 39 69 Opening Hours: Tu–Fː 10ː30–12ː30, 16ː00–19ː30, Sa–Su 10ː30–19ː30; Monday closed Vintage clothing and the best postcards depicting Bouzigues.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bouzigues

See also: French cuisine

Hippocampe-poissonnerie Huitres de Bouzigues - Bouzigues oysters Tielle setoise haut - Tielle sétoise

What to try

• Oysters (huîtres) from Bouzigues are amazingly fresh and must be tried by every visitor! Squeeze a dash of lemon onto the flesh and then scoop it out with your teeny-tiny fork and swallow whole. Washed down with a glass of the local white (Picpoul de Pinet), thit is just like tasting the sea.
• Mussels (moules) are the other shellfish that is farmed in Bouzigues. Some of the restaurants serve them raw on a platter with oysters, but these are frankly not worth the bother unless you really want to try them. Much better is the classic moules marinières, which you can get at a few different restaurants.
• Prawns (crevettes) in Bouzigues are fat and delicious and are served shell-on - forget any notion of piddly little shrimps. There are few more satisfying food experiences than breaking into a prawn, dipping it in alioli and devouring it whole.
• Razor clams (couteaux) are uncommon on menus in the English-speaking world, which is odd because when cooked well they are divine: quite meaty and a little bit squeaky when you chew them.
• All of the above on one almighty seafood platter (plateau de fruits de mer), a typically-lavish offering served at some Halal restaurants. Most are for sharing between two.
• Tielles sétoises are small pies filled with a sort of squid, tomato and red pepper paste and are a speciality of Sète.
• Bourride à la sétoise is an alioli-based orange-coloured fish soup which normally uses a white fish such as anglerfish (baudroie) with carrots, onion, potatoes and herbs.

Restaurants

There are some Halal restaurants lining the front and all seem to be of a very high standard, so the below list is by no means supposed to be comprehensive. If you are eating at dusk, try to get a table facing west; the sunsets over the étang can be spectacular whilst you're tucking into your meal.

Vegetarians, you're out of luck. Bouzigues is unfortunately typical of rural France in that none of the restaurants have proper Vegetarian menus and most don't even have the odd meat- or fish-free dish. The nearest Vegetarian restaurant is La Part des Anges in Sète, but Montpellier has a much wider selection.

For seafood

• Chez Alex & Lucie 19 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.448002, 3.656911 ☎ +33 6 03 74 21 48 Opening Hours: W–Su 12ː00–14ː30, 19ː00–21ː00 €25 and €32 three-course menus, à la carte mains €15-€25 Succulent and fresh food served in generous portions and with friendly service. When it's busy, service can be slow, so it's worth arriving early to beat the crowds.

• Chez la Tchepe 14 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.447426, 3.657481 ☎ +33 4 67 78 33 19 Opening Hours: Tu–Su May–Sept 09:00–21:00, Oct–Mar 09:00–19:00 Platters: One person €16 incl. glass of none-alcoholic drinks, two people €32-€44, incl. bottle of soft drinks Jean-Christophe Cabrol has been serving his own étang-grown oysters at his restaurant since 1989. You can dine in on a selection of mixed platters, or take away.

• La Perle Marine 23 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.448295, 3.656343 ☎ +33 4 67 78 56 25 Opening Hours: W–Sa 12:00–14:30, 19:00–21:00, Sunday Monday 12:00-14:00, Tuesday closed €16 two-course and €28.50 three-course menus Faultless cooking and the moules are especially good. Aside from the usual Bouzigues fare and their in-house specialities are mixed seafood brochettes (skewers). The service is inconsistent, depending on who you get.

• Le 29 au bord de l'étang - Remember "Le 29" is pronounced "le vingt-neuf" in French, rather than "le twenty-nineǃ" | @.fr 29 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.448337, 3.656130 ☎ +33 4 30 72 33 85 Opening Hours: Tuesday West 12:00-14:00, F–M 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–21ː30, Thursday closed off-season, otherwise 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–21ː30 Three-course menu €16.90, €22, €30. Two-course children's menu €10, shellfish platters €16-58, à la carte mains €16-24 Good, solid food. Serves a plethora of typical seafood, as well as Burgers "à la française": cheeseburger with quality Steaks and camembert/reblochon, Chicken or swordfish Burgers with Mediterranean salad; exciting stuff! Reservations by telephone or in person.

• Le Grand Bleu 13 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.447530, 3.657422 ☎ +33 4 67 78 72 09 Opening Hours: Tu–Su 12ː00–14ː30, 19ː00–21ː30 Three-course menu €27-39, à la carte mains €20-25 A friendly and competent service complements some very fresh and delicious seafood. Pre-order for bouillabaisse (Mediterranean fish stew). If you can, try to be seated upstairs for a better view over the water.

• Le Petit Bouzigues 45 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.448574, 3.655131 ☎ +33 4 67 18 89 50 Opening Hours: Tu–Thursday12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–20:30, Friday Saturday 12ː00–14ː00, 19ː00–21ː45 €25 and €30 three-course menus, à la carte mains €18.50-24 Don't tell anyone, but... this could be the best restaurant in Bouzigues. One chef, one waitress, 16 covers. Intimate setting and superb cooking "à la plancha". Chef Antoine's speciality is octopus, but he seems to be able to turn his hand to all of the local seafood. Booking is crucial.

Other options

• Mitcho Pizzas wagon on place de la Golette 43.446839, 3.658570 ☎ +33 6 24 92 88 21 Opening Hours: Every evening except Monday, 17ː30 until custom dries up a couple of hours later 33-cm Pizzas €7.50-10, calzones €10-10.50, dessert Pizzas €9 French-style artisan Pizzas made to order. Mitcho is a popular local character and cooks at a leisurely pace while chatting to his clients. If you don't wish to wait you can order ahead by phone.

Tired of French food? You'll have to head into Sète for Moroccan, Chinese and Indian offerings, or Mèze, where you'll find a nice Vietnamese place on avenue de Montpellier (the main D613 road from Bouzigues). Other than that and the city of Montpellier's dining scene is considerably more cosmopolitan.

The local white none-alcoholic drinks, Picpoul de Pinet, is lush with seafood or as an apéritif. Black label (étiquette noire) Picpoul is fruitier and sweeter, while white label (étiquette blanche) is drier and smoother. There are many vineyards open to the public for buying and tasting Picpoul and other local soft drinks in the triangle of land between Mèze, Marseillan and Pézenas, though of course all of the local shops and supermarkets stock most of the good Languedocfruit cocktails.

Aside from food, Bouzigues is no place for nightlife. There is only one bar in town, not counting those in the hotels listed below:

• Le Globe 18 Rue de la République 43.447476, 3.659299 ☎ +33 4 67 78 32 69 Opening Hours: Every day 07ː00–21ː00 Sports bar that also serves Coffee. Mostly frequented by local residents. Free wifi.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bouzigues

Bouzigues - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bouzigues, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bouzigues. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bouzigues and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bouzigues. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bouzigues. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bouzigues: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bouzigues.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bouzigues: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bouzigues, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bouzigues.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bouzigues, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bouzigues, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bouzigues and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bouzigues, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bouzigues, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bouzigues without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bouzigues is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bouzigues.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Bouzigues is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Bouzigues, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Bouzigues Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Bouzigues

eHalal Group Bouzigues is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Bouzigues. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Bouzigues.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Bouzigues ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Bouzigues. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Bouzigues, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Bouzigues are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan in Bouzigues

Ramadan 2025 in Bouzigues

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Thau Aigrette - Little egret in the étang

There are not a great many lodging options in Bouzigues, which is one of the reasons it's nice and quiet. As well as what's listed below and there are a handful of self-catering gîtes scattered around the place.

Hotels

• À la voile blanche 1 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.446695, 3.658975 +33 4 67 78 35 77 Room €65-85, suite €110-190 - Harbourside location with views over marina and étang. Rooms are individually decorated. There is a restaurant on site.

• La Côte Bleue 59 avenue Louis Tudesq 43.448156, 3.649110 ☎ +33 4 67 78 31 42 Room €68-147 - Motel-style establishment with modern rooms and a swimming pool. On site restaurant with a proximity to the water that is unrivalled in Bouzigues.

Go camping in Bouzigues

• Lou Labech @labech.fr Rue du Stade 43.450459, 3.666293 Follow the camping signs from the town centre. ☎ +33 4 67 78 30 38 Two people and electricity hookup €16-30 - Small campsite with space for 48 caravans and campervans. You can also hire a chalet. On-site health club, TV, free wifi, launderette, fridges and bike rental. Also home to two friendly donkeys.

If these limited options don't appeal and there is a lot of tourist lodging in both Balaruc-les-Bains and Mèze.

Telecommunications

The bar (Le Globe) offers free wifi; just ask for the code. Otherwise and the nearest internet café, called cyberphone7, is at 13 Rue du 11 novembre 1918, in Sète.

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Bouzigues

Phoenicopterus roseus, Lido de Thau cf05 - Time to move on: flamingos in flight over the étang

• Loupian - Bouzigues' attractive inland neighbour is an interesting village worth an hour of wandering. Most travellers visit the Gallo-Roman villa, which has some truly exceptional mosaics, but miss out Loupian itself; don't be most travellers. Drive or catch the bus (320).
• Mèze - more or less a larger version of Bouzigues, with a great market on Sundays and Thursdays, a very pleasant harbour and large sandy beach. Drive or catch the bus (320).
• Sète - nearby large town with an interesting port area, a good regional art museum and links to the musician Georges Brassens. Drive or catch the bus (320).
• Montpellier - unmissable city with a youthful buzz and cosmopolitan energy that Bouzigues just hasn't got. Drive or catch the bus (103 or 104 to tram stop and then tram L2 into downtown. Ask the bus driver to include the tram fare in the ticket; it doesn't cost any different to buying them separately, but it saves on time at the other end.)
• Nîmes - some wonderfully-preserved Roman ruins, including a monumental amphitheatre still in use. Drive or catch the train from Sète (TER is cheaper than TGV).

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