The initial village started growing with the completion of the Canal du Midi in 1681. It was called Cette until 1927.

Built upon and around Mont St Clair, Sète is situated on the south-eastern hub of the Bassin de Thau, an enclosed salt water lake used primarily for oyster and mussel fields. To its other side lies the Mediterranean.

Sète is the eastern starting point of the Canal du Midi, and the ending point of the Canal du Rhône à Sète. It is approximately 25 mins by train from Montpellier. Car ferries ply between Sète and Morocco.