“We really are better off here, it's more lively”, the Louis Nocca trawler-museum has changed quays in Sète

Le chalutier désarmé Louis Nocca, a trouvé sa place quai de la Marine. Hélène Amiraux

Le chalutier-musée, désarmé pour la pêche, est désormais installé quai de la Marine à Sète. Un emplacement désormais plus satisfaisant pour le bâtiment ouvert notamment aux visites touristiques.

You may have noticed that the educational trawler moored in the royal setting of Sète has changed location as part of the new boat parking plan in the port. The ship, transformed into a tour boat, was parked for many years on the Herber quay. The building that now welcomes the public was invited last spring to join another pontoon, that of the fish market. To the great displeasure of the owner Francis Nocca and the Nocca's entertainment team, who regularly organize tours but also exhibitions and private events on board. “After all the efforts we've made, it's simply the death of this boat”, had confided at the time Mario Merenda, one of the three animators of the old trawler, the auction being a place defined by access reserved for professionals.

"It's better for tourism"

After several weeks of discussions between the port and the owner, an agreement was finally reached for parking on the Quai de la Marine (Général Durand), along one of the most touristic passages of the unique island. For the past two weeks, he has found a permanent place there alongside his still active counterparts. “We are really better off here, it is more lively, we have more visitors. It is also better for tourism in the city”, confides Francis Nocca who offers a host of activities. In particular, visits to the trawler to discover one of the city's main fishing activities. But not only that. Birthdays, festivals, plays, yoga classes, exhibitions are regularly on the program.  "At the beginning of the week, we had a meeting of the greatest surgeons in the country, I introduced them to some specialties from Sète! ", says Francis Nocca.  The boat will soon host a Christmas market.