If you are on your holidays in France with your children and you want an alternative to the beach (or an economical alternative to Aqualand), then La Grande Bleu swimming pool in La Grande Motte, Languedoc, is a good choice. La Grande Motte is a famous French beach resort located close to Montpellier. In recent years the resort has received a major facelift and it is now a popular centre for sporting activities and winter training camps.

La Grande Bleu is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool complex with 'flumes' (or 'toboggans' in French), up to 48m in length, 3-4 swimming pool areas, a toddler pool, sun terrace, solarium, steam room and sauna, jaccuzis, water jets, wave machine, etc. There is also a cafeteria and ice cream bar inside the swimming pool area.

Outside in the summer there is a large wavepool, lazy river, toddlers pool and much bigger water slide. There are plenty of seating areas in the shade. We have been with our children (when they were 3, 5 & 8) and they had a great time. La Grande Bleu is really just a nice chilled out space to enjoy with the family. There are plenty of life guards on duty and none of the long queues that you get at Aqualand. It is very easy to spend a day here without breaking the bank.

Holidays in France with children: Espace Grande Bleu

Prices: a family ticket was around €14.

Opening hours: Espace Grande Bleu is open 10.00 to 17.00 every day all year round (closed Mondays in the winter). In the summer months it stay open until 20.00 Information on opening times and prices is also available from the La Grande Motte tourism website .

Location: Espace Grande Bleu, La Plaine des Jeux, 195 rue Saint-Louis, 34280 LA GRANDE MOTTE, Languedoc.

Driving instructions:
Espace Grande Bleu is well signposted once you get into La Grande Motte (initially follow directions to Point Zero, then you will see the signs). La Grande Motte is located close to Montpellier on the Languedoc coast. It is reached by taking the D62 off the A9 to the East of Montpellier at Junction 31. Alternatively take the D979 at Junction 29 of the A9 just North of Montpellier.

An alternative to Espace Grande Bleu if you are looking for a good swimming pool to take the kids to after the beach is the Swimming Pool at Sete. This also has water slides and a wave machine.

Where to next . . . ?

I hope that this article has provided you with some good ideas about how and where to entertain your children and grandchildren during your to visit to South France. We live in the South of France all year around and we absolutely love being here. We are always out and about visiting new villa rental properties and researching tourism articles about the South of France. We have a great collection of articles with more ideas about things to do and places to go in the South of France, including:

• Best South France beaches to visit in 2023
• Find some great Holiday rental accommodation in South France to stay in during summer 2023
• Read about the Best water parks in South France to visit during 2023

Go Languedoc provides holiday accommodation, long term rentals and tourism information about the South of France - covering Cote d'Azur, Provence and the Languedoc. If you would like some more detailed information or if you have any questions about finding accommodation for your visit, then just drop us a quick message and we will come straight back to you. I wish you a wonderful stay in the South of France. Contact Iain by Email or by phone +33 6 95 00 28 44.