The South of France has some of the best French beaches: Languedoc-Roussillon alone has more than 40 of them flying the blue flag, the European award for clean bathing water. Following a summer spent visiting the coastline of Southern France, here is our insider's guide to the best beaches in the South of France

Best South France Beach 1: Vias Plage

Vias Plage

Vias Plage is situated just below Cap d'Agde on the coast. To get there, come off the A9 at junction 34 and follow the RN312 to Vias and then follow the signs to Vias plage. we always head right into the heart of the beach bars and shops and then turn right past a campsite. If you keep following the track you will come to another car park that invariably has spaces. We prefer this area of Vias plage. 

Best South France Beach 2: Rochelongue Plage

Rochelonge plage, is in the centre of Cap d'Agde. It is our preferred choice out of the 3 beaches on the Cap. There is a nice beach side restaurant and bar and you get lovely sweeping views of the whole bay down to Narbonne plage

You can reach Rochelongue Plage by taking the A9 to juntion 34 and then follow the RN312 and RN112 to Cap d'Agde. You will see an exit for Rochelonge plage as soon as you enter Cap d'Agde. There is a car park just near the entrance to the beach. If this is full however, try the car park for the Aqualand park (about a 10 min walk).

Best South France Beach 3: La Grande-Motte, Point Zero

Grande Motte

To get to La Grande-Motte from the south of Montpellier, take the A9 up to junction 29 (the airport exit). Follow the D66 and D62 all the way to La Grande-Motte (it is signposted all the way). From Nimes and the north, take the A9 down to junction 27 at Lunel. Now follow the D61 all the way to La Grande-Motte. When you enter La Grande-Motte follow the signs to 'Point Zero'.

Best South France Beach 4: Gruissan Plage

Gruissan Plage

Gruissan Plage is located just east of Narbonne. Come off the A9 at the Narbonne exit (junction 37). Take the D168 and D32 all the way to Gruissan. This is a pleasant 10 minute drive. On the outskirts of Gruissan you come to a round about. Go straight over and follow the signs to Gruisssan plage. As an alternative Narbonne plage is just up the coast.

Best South France Beach  5: Valras Plage

The wide open expanse of sand at Valras Plage comfortably accomodates large numbers of holiday makers, allowing you enough room to spread out and relax. There is also plenty to do after the beach with lots of restaurants, boutiques and ice cream stalls. During the summer there is also a childrens adventure park and fairground rides just by the harbour.

You can drive to Valras Plage one of two ways. Either from junction 35 of the A9 along the D64 or from junction 36 of the A9 and and follow the road past the pleasant  village of Vendres.