Agde, Administrative center in Occitanie, France
Agde is an administrative center along the Mediterranean coast in the Occitanie region, where the Hérault River meets the sea. The old town consists of dark basalt stone, with narrow lanes leading to small squares.
Greek settlers from Massilia founded the town in 525 BCE as a trading post along the Mediterranean. The settlement later became a Roman colony and maintained its role as a harbor for centuries.
The name derives from the Greek Agathe Tyche, meaning "good fortune," and remains present in the town's identity today. Along the riverside promenade, residents gather in the early evening while fishermen lay their nets out on the quay.
The town lies near the A9 motorway and connects through Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport. The old center is best explored on foot, as most lanes are too narrow for cars.
The 12th-century Saint-Étienne Cathedral was designed as a fortress with thick walls and arrow slits, not just as a place of worship. Defenders could watch the river mouth and approaching ships from the tower.
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