The Large Psammodromus has an average length of about 19cm more than half of which is its tail. Females are frequently larger than males and can grow to 25cm. The body is covered in pronounced keeled scales which give it a rough appearance unlike the smooth appearance of most other lizards in France. The back of the body is copper brown with two light bands which run the length of the body on the flanks; the upper band is bordered with a dark line. Underside is pale with a tint of yellow or green. It has long limbs with long clawed digits. During the breeding season the male has vivid blue spots around the shoulders.

Only found in the Mediterranean zone in France where it occupies habitats comprising open green oak woodlands, open mixed woodland with clearings, dense scrub and occasionally coastal dunes.  Diet is almost totally insects. 

It is diurnal, somewhat nervous and will rapidly flee, often burying itself in sand or other ground debris. Hibernation tends to be from November until February in France. Reproduction is from March until May and it’s usual for the female to produce about 8 eggs, these are buried by the female in soft material, soil, sand or decomposing vegetation, these hatch at about 10 weeks.