France's best beaches without the crowds, from hidden coves to one of Europe's longest beaches

A weekend à la plage is always a bonne idée, whether you're heading to a busy beach town for cocktails or seeking solace in wild, unruly sands.

While there are some great beaches in the UK, sometimes a trip across the Channel is what you need to inject some glamorous flair into your holiday.

France's beaches are hardly a well-kept secret. From bustling Nice to crowded Cannes and plenty of other popular hotspots on the tourist map, there's no shortage of choices.

But one thing's for sure: having your summer retreat ruined by screaming children, overpriced ice cream and fellow beachgoers encroaching on your sunbathing spot is a sure-fire way to take your beach day from 'yay' to 'nay'.

Instead, opt for one of France's quiet, crowd-free sandy shores - these are some of the best...

While many opt for the well-trodden shores of Antibes and St Tropez, in reality some of France's wilder beaches offer a more secluded getaway with less flashy displays of wealth everywhere you look.

Plage de la Coubre in the west of France offers just that, part of the 'Côte Sauvage' ('Wild Coast') - and a large red and white lighthouse is the crown jewel.

While this part of the beach draws in more tourists in the summer months, the area is so vast you can easily find a quiet spot.

'Very large and clean beach with few people,' one Tripadvisor review wrote, describing the 'Magnificent panorama at the top of the dune.'

Plage de Saleccia in Corsica is difficult to get to - you'll need a 4x4 to drive down a track, a taxi boat or to hike - but if you make the effort, you'll be rewarded.

With ivory sands, clear seas and dense forestry behind you, it feels like a tropical paradise.

One visitor commented: 'Arriving at this idyllic beach by buggy, you either need to be athletic and courageous to cover the many kilometers between the last accessible parking area and the buggy, or have a suitable vehicle.

'But such beauty is worth the effort. Once there, savor the tranquility, the white sand, and the beauty of this magical place.'

La Baule in Loire-Atlantique is another of the country's most photographed beaches, and its cleanliness and turquoise seas explain why.

Located an hour north of Nantes, it is one of Europe's longest beaches at 9km - meaning however busy the season may be, you'll always be able to find a spot for yourself, away from the hordes of tourists.

Plus, it links the harbour towns of Pornichet and Le Pouliguen and has a variety of activities from beach clubs, watersports, and vast tidal flats for horse riding and land yachts.

The relaxed beach of Plage de l'Espiguette in Le Grau-du-Roi in the south of France is ideal - it's huge, with plenty of small towns and restaurants nearby.

'This is the largest and most 'natural' Languedoc beach. With so much space you will be able to find a quiet spot, even in high summer, if you are prepared to walk,' one visitor remarked.

Be warned - the beach has a naturist area, not for everyone!

At the tip of a peninsula on France's Atlantic coast, Cap Ferret feels secluded despite its popularity with French holidaymakers.

Fishing villages, pine forests and long sandy beaches define the area, while the Atlantic side attracts surfers and the calmer bay offers quieter swimming.

Typical days here revolve around cycling, seafood, oysters and relaxed seaside dining, or exploring fashion and homewares alongside boulangeries, ice-cream parlours and restaurants along Boulevard de la Plage.

In the peak season, Berck Plage can get busy - but the massive sand area means it feels much quieter than nearby alternatives.

With 12km of sandy shores to explore, it's ideal for watersports; kitesurfing is a popular pastime in the region.

The beach is perfect for children, having been awarded the label 'Famille Plus' in 2012.

More than 100 metres above the coast, Dune du Pilat is Europe's tallest dune - and is well worth a climb.

It can be done barefoot, and the views at the top make the effort worthwhile.

Spanning almost 3km in length, even during the peak summer months it is easy to avoid the crowds here.

Activities here include paragliding, as well as the good old-fashioned 'run down the slopes, throwing caution to the wind' so adored by children.