The 200km Mediterranean coastline of Languedoc Roussillon stretches from the wide, sandy beaches and sand dunes of the Camargue in the east to the rocky bays of the Côte Vermeille, on the border with Spain, in the south. The coast line is interspersed with fishing villages, resorts, port towns and camping sites.

Along the coastline traditions remain. Sea salt production, reed cultivation for thatch and the rearing of bulls for bullfights still continue in the Camargue, where wild horses run free and pink flamingoes flock.

Fishing continues from the town of Sète and Grau du Roi to the small ports of Roussillon, such as Port Vendres and Collioure (shown left), which is famous for its anchovies, as well as from other towns and villages along the coast. Oyster production is a major industry at the Étang de Thau, a lagoon that stretches between Sète and Montpellier.

There are 40 blue flag beaches (independently accredited clean beaches and water) in the Languedoc Roussillon area and plenty of activities from which to choose: sailing at Port Camargue, sports at Canet en Roussillon and Saint Cyprien, and windsurfing all along the coast. With nearly 300 days of sunshine a year the beaches of the Languedoc are an obvious attraction, and can be crowded in summer.

La Grande Motte, a purpose-built resort, can accommodate thousands of tourists and provide all inclusive holidays, with its 1,400 berth marina, golf, tennis, water sports, water park and beaches all on-site. Built in the 1960s people either love it or hate it, but it remains a very popular resort with French families.

Several of the regions large cities - Montpellier, Perpignan, Béziers and Narbonne - are only a short drive from the coast and make for interesting visits for beach-based holidaymakers interested in history or shopping.