South of France at the end of August 2012!

[utahforever]

I like to get planning early

We normally go in the May holiday but it is only going to be a week next year and I want to go for a bit longer and some sun this time

I'm looking for a hotel on a sandy beach, 5 mins walk max. It has to be easy to get to by train preferably or bus, and with as few tourists as possible. I know, August!, but I've got to try.

We also need a supermarket within 5 - 10 mins walk, but don't need restaurants/night life. Nice walks, aquarium, play areas would be great as well.

Anyone been somewhere that sounds like this? or is it impossible.....

Thanks

I would try bayonne, st-jean-de-luz, biarritz, on the atlantic rather than the med. here for a short overview
If you have to be by the med. may be collioure www.collioure.com/gb/index-gb.htm, perpignan/canet plage www.ot-canet.fr/articles-1/13-189-9-km-sable-fin/

It might be hard to find hotels on the beach in france (not allowed by planning) but a short walk away should be doable.

If you want less tourists, child friendly and sand you might want to try somewhere near la rochelle or bordeaux (not technically the south though).

Campsite I know you specified hotel but this place is lovely, gets quieter towards the end of August but has a lovely mix of all nationalities, and is within 10 minutes walk of a supermarket. It's on the main bus route from Biarritz too.

another lovely campsite near perpignan/Collioure is in Argeles - Camping le bois du Valmarie. It is a bit hilly but the pool complax is lovely - restaurant is fab and it's a short walk to the beach or Argeles Port which has shops, restauarants and a market. There's a wee bus train you can get to the port and town - and the tacky resort of Argeles! campsite is fab!!

Hi makemineapinot. I have been looking at Le Bois du Valmarie for next August. Have 3 children who will be ds 12, ds 7 and dd5 so would be grateful if could let me know if you think the site would be suitable for their ages.
The kids need space to run around and a good pool complex ( slides vital !). They all love the beach - is the beach near the campsite a sandy one ?

Did you book with a tour operator or direct with campsite ?

Thank you for your help ( have normally booked summer hol by now so feeling behind the game !)

The South of France in August is PACKED! You won't avoid it. Look in the Cavaliere/Le Lavandou area. There is a LOVELY hotel right on the beach at Gigaro Plage - but it will cost you. Juan Les Pins has a lovely beach and is easily accessible by bus/train/taxi from Nice Airport. We stayed (in September) at the Kontiki campsite in a Tikki Hut on Pamplelonne Beach. Was very nice. The same company run the Prairies de la mer campsite at Port Grimaud. Bus from Hyeres/Toulon airport. It is right on the beach and the town with shops/restuarants is under 10 mins walk.

Gruissan is lovely too, bit quieter than towards Nice. Valras Plage too - both near Beziers.

i went to biarritz and st jean de luz many years ago as a student in august and remember thinking that if we'd been a family of 4 we would have been unlikely to have been able to sit together on the beach as it was so busy. we didn't have transport and so were sitting in the most popular areas probably