Piping Plover or what (1 Viewer)

Hello, This is my first post for identification so forgive me if I break the rules in some way. Can anybody identify this bird for me please? I think it is a piping plover but am confused as the only references I can find are in North America. This photo was shot on 29th June in Southern France
Thanks
Mike

Hiya, it's a Little Ringed Plover. It's related to a Piping Plover, but Piping Plovers are only found in America

That's a Little Ringed Plover you've got. Piping Plover in southern France would have been exceptional indeed!
EDIT: crosspost!

Agree with the others. Note the bright yellow eye-ring - a sure mark of little-ringed plover.

The all dark beak and the yellow eye-ring Jeff mentioned are both features that can be used to distinguish Little Ringed Plover from (Common) Ringed Plover. The ranges and habitats of both birds overlap significantly so you may need to separate them in the field.

The legs of a Little Ringed Plover are paler than those of a (Common) Ringed Plover too but that's not so distinctive in the field a lot of the time. I try to steer away from giving distinguishing features relative to another bird as unless you have the two side by side it's not that much use.