THE MEDITERRANEAN
The Languedoc boasts the best Mediterranean beaches in all of France, and your France vacation rental is a quick 15-minute drive away. It’s not just us who say the beaches here are great – more than 40 of them have been designated Blue Flag. That means they meet a tough set of international standards for clean water, environmental management and safety and services.
Long, white and sandy, there is a piece of seashore for every kind of beach lover. We’ve made a list of a few of our favourites:
Vias Plage: Good things come in small packages. This little bay has warm water, lots of sheltered little beaches created by tidal barriers, and golden sand. The gorgeous tall, grassy sand banks that run behind it make it feel secluded and special. But it’ s not so secluded that you can’t go for a bite to eat. A couple of snack bars are hiding behind the sand bank, so you can use them, but you don’t have to look at them. Perfect! This beautiful beach is halfway between Cap d’Agde and Valras Plage. Just come off the A9, at Junction 34 and take RN312 to Vias.
Marseillan Plage: Long and wide, with fine sand and a decidedly rural feel. The only buildings are at the very end of the beach. A great place to bring a picnic.
Marseillan Plage in February
Rochelonge Plage: Cap d’Agde is famous for its nudist beach, but it also has eight other beaches for those who prefer to keep their swimsuit on. Rochelonge Plage is one of the best. Far from the concrete apartment blocks that are on other parts of the Cap, the signs of civilization here are some expensive beach houses and a very nice waterfront restaurant. With fewer amenities than some other beaches, Rochelonge attracts more grownups than kids, who can appreciate the spectacular view, reaching all the way down the bay to Narbonne plage. Take the A9 to Junction 34, follow RN312 and RN112 to Cap d’Agde and follow the signs to Rochelonge.
Serignan: One of the very best, and least crowded beaches, Serignan feels remote, wild and natural, with a grassy sand bank running across the back of it, and lots of space to spread out and play. You can even rent miniature ponies for the kids (and very short grownups) to ride.
La Franqui: South of France beaches aren’t only about lying around and soaking up the sun. Watersports are all the rage, and for wind and kitesurfers, La Franqui is the king of beaches. Bordered by the sea on one side and the etang (inland lake) on the other, La Franqui is a wide strip surrounded by wind and water on two sides that makes it a mecca for windsurfers. Its shallow water and low waves make it perfect for kids as well, and the salty etang is great for crabbing.
The 17th Century Canal du Midi
Haut Languedoc National Park
Lac Salagou, mysterious as a Chinese watercolour
The flamingos and famous white horses of the Camargue
The healing waters at Amelie les Bains
The Pyrenees
The castle city of Carcassone
The Millau, the highest bridge in the world
The ancient Roman city of Nimes
