The Rhône river, like our Mississippi, divides the southern coast of France about equally into east and west. East leads to Provence and then the Riviera and eventually Italy; west, to Languedoc and then Roussillon and eventually Spain. Because more people have heard of Marseille, Saint-Tropez, and Monaco than have heard of Sète, Agde, and Collioure, the eastern half of the coast is blessed, and to an equal degree beset, by visitors and their money.