Unusual nights on the water, aboard an old tuna boat, in Sète

Philippe Barbier took over Le Victoria 3 7 years ago after falling in love with it. Free Midi – Patrice Espinasse

Philippe Barbier a aménagé une cabine supplémentaire, permettant à l'ancien thonier d'héberger jusqu'à neuf personnes. Midi Libre – Patrice Espinasse

Après un passé glorieux, Le Victoria III dépérissait dans le port de La Ciotat quand il a été rapatrié à Sète où des amoureux du thonier l'ont rénové et transformé en chambres d'hôtes insolites.

Sit down on the water in an old tuna boat, enjoy a typical equipped kitchen, fall asleep in the wheelhouse or under the foredeck, surrounded by the frames… Welcome aboard the Victoria III.  In the Bassin du Midi, we encounter the rich history of a boat released in the post-war period from the Concarneau shipyards.

To enter Victoria is to enter the memory of a boat that left for two decades to fish for tuna in the Atlantic Ocean, lobster in Mauritania or even cod on Earth -New. Successive property of a Breton Poilu, the son of the writer Henri Troyat and surgeons from Marseille, it was fished out by Sylvie Prunier and Alain Zanit, a couple from Sétois, who extracted ten years ago from the port of La Ciotat, where it sank, to bring it back to the singular island. There, within the grounds of the marina, they restored it with taste and love and transformed it into guest rooms. hosts.

"I was told not to buy a wooden boat longer than 13 m. And I bought the Victoria: 22 m and all in wood!"

Today, Philippe Barbier has taken over. Passionately, too. Editor then director, he discovered Sète in 1999, during a report on the restaurant Les Demoiselles Dupuy, then in downtown Sète, for the show Carnets du Sud, broadcast on France 3. "I had good memories of this city. When I was looking for a boat between Toulouse and Lyon, seven years ago, I was lucky enough to come across the Victoria III. It was a favorite."

Philippe Barbier did not regret his choice. "I was told not to buy a wooden boat longer than 13 meters. And I bought the Victoria: 22 meters and all in wood!, he smiles. Every morning, I am charmed by the atmosphere of this boat. Often, people focus on the photos and the situation and, once on board, tell me that it's even better than the photos." 

With a living area of ​​around 75 m2, the Victoria 3 is notably equipped with a large living room. DR

The first episodes of Tomorrow Belongs to Us

Since then, the former director has been pampering the old tuna boat, which he does not bring back to sea but beautifies it at the dock. In particular, he has fitted out a third cabin, which is added to the two existing ones, including the captain's, and to the beds in the wheelhouse.

In total, up to nine people can be accommodated in these typical and atypical 75 m2, equipped with all the necessary comfort, including three bathrooms. The Victoria also attracted the attention of the series Tomorrow belongs to us, on TF1. When it launched in 2017, the first episodes took place on the boat and the film crews regularly slept there. Like Canadians, Americans, Germans, Swiss and English, who love experience. 

Rental: from 120 to 140 € (from May) per night, for 2 people + 40 € per additional person. Reservation on Airbnb.

In Sète again, and in Frontignan too,

Two guest rooms in a barge which also serves as a restaurant and pizzeria: unusual accommodation is also available in Frontignan. After experiencing several lives in Vic-la-Gardiole, Freddy Valat set his sights on Ibaia-Le Bonheur a few years ago. Based on Quai Voltaire, the barge houses two small rooms – but authentic cabins -: Moussaillon and Marinier. Lulled by the lapping of the water, you can sleep there for a price of 65 to 119 euros; (depending on the season), breakfast included. Freddy also serves as a table d'hôte and, for the past two months, has also been offering takeaway pizzas. Contact: 06 09 06 78 30.

In Sète, you can also spend an unusual night in sailboats. One is at Môle Saint-Louis (from 89 to 160 €/2 people on booking: https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/galathea. fr.html). The Danilou (2 bedrooms) is rented at the marina from 88 €/night for 1 person. (www.airbnb.fr/rooms/15464137). On sunny days, Sea, Sète & Sun offers rental of the Bolero, an 8 m sailboat (from 70 to 120 euros/2 people, seaseteandsun.com, 07 82 23 68 29). Finally, on Quai du Midi, Yannick provides a 24 m yacht with 3 bedrooms: 585 €/7 people. (airbnb.fr/rooms/47886290). The list is not exhaustive.

I subscribe to read more