Try Perpignan (LFMP) in the south of France. I've hired club aircraft there the past two years. A large regional airport with a huge runway yet only half a dozen commercial flights a day. Watched an A380 doing circuits there last year, turned downwind overhead my house.
Direct flights from the UK include BMI Baby from Manchester, Ryanair from Stanstead and (probably of interest to you) Flybe from Southampton. Some days there are more UK flights than internal French ones!
Fairly staightforward process at the Aéro-Club du Roussillon Tel. 33 (0)4 68 61 18 97 although the p/t receptionist there has as much English as I have French! An hour's check ride and then signed off to solo the club aircraft, usually a Robin DR400 or Cessna 152.
The instructor with the best English is Jean Pierre Jacquet. He's an ex carrier jock who was once based at Lossiemouth. If the weather's suitable you could ask him to give you some altiport experience in the Cerdagne/Capcir area but you'll need the Robin for that. The 152 can get in but apparently doesn't have the puff to get out!
There are loads of beaches nearby and plenty of holiday accommodation. Handiest for the airport is Canet Plage, about 10 miles by road, and there should be plenty of apartments available at the time of the year you're looking at.
Hope that helps.
