Beachgoers couldn't help but notice the startling sign. Picture: Remi Gaillard

The sign, bearing the words “Go home f**king tourists” in English, followed by the same message in Spanish, was flown over holiday-makers sunning themselves on Carnon beach near Montpellier.

It appeared to be a stunt by French YouTube personality Remi Gaillard, who can be seen on video preparing the sign before it was taken to the skies in a small aircraft.

Police stepped in before Gaillard could deliver the message in French, the Local France reported.

The video shows beachgoers reacting to the unusual display.

But there was one person who wasn’t amused. Yvon Bourrel, the mayor of the city of Mauguio Carnon, took to social media to denounce the stunt and reassure tourists they were definitely welcome in town.

But the man behind the stunt, prankster Remi Gaillard, snapped back on Twitter, defending his antics as comedy and denouncing the fact first-aid posts at the beach closed at 6.30pm even though the beaches were still packed with people after that time, according to The Local.