Languedoc, which includes lively Béziers to the west and cosmopolitan Montpellier to the east, is an oasis for water lovers, with bustling seaside resorts such as Cap d'Agde, Palavas-les-Flots, Sète and La Grande-Motte, and an array of other Blue Flag beaches along its coast.
The beaches in the region tend to be larger and sandier than their pebbly neighbours in Provence. Frontignan-Plage, in the area renowned for muscat wine, is a long stretch of golden sand broken into safe swimming areas by little stone jetties. You'll also find soft sand at Béziers's best beaches, Valras, Vias and Sérignan.
Cap d'Agde is a lively resort built 40 years ago next to the historic town of Agde. The most astonishing part of the nine-mile (14km) stretch of beach is La Grande Conque, which has black sands due to the lava from the extinct volcano of Mont Saint-Loup. Snorkellers can explore an underwater nature trail.
La Grande-Motte is characterised by its striking 1960s architecture, with buildings rising like giant molehills along the coast. This is one of the few towns in France that enable you to spend your holidays without needing a car due to the 12 miles (20km) of footpaths and cycle tracks running to every corner of the resort.
The attractive port town of Sète has eight miles (13km) of some of the finest beaches in the Med, stretching from the eastern edge of the Thau lagoon up towards Marseillan. At the northern end, by Sète, you'll find the Blue Flag beaches of Lazaret, La Corniche, La Fontaine and Lido, with beach bars and restaurants.
Along much of this coastline the water is shallow for several metres before dropping deeper – perfect for children.
If you are keen to explore, the four-star Camping-Club l'Hermitage is a good base, less than a mile from the fine sandy beach of Valras-Plage. You can rent one-, two- or three-bedroom cottages and you will find all the facilities you'd expect from a campsite at this level, including a swimming pool and waterslide.
To find out more about this destination, visit gotofrancenow.com/languedoc-montpellier
