La Nartelle: when the French Riviera reveals its most generous face
On the French Riviera, some beaches must be earned — hidden at the back of a calanque, reachable only by sea. Others offer themselves with the evidence of a perfect setting. Nartelle beach belongs to the second category, with a generosity that few Mediterranean shores can claim: over 800 metres of fine golden sand, facing due south across the translucent waters of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, sheltered from the north winds by the forested hills of the Massif des Maures.
Located east of Sainte-Maxime at the entrance to the gulf, La Nartelle enjoys one of the region's most favourable microclimates: over 300 days of sunshine per year, water temperatures reaching 26°C in July and August, and a quality of light that photographers and sunset devotees know well — golden in the morning, warm and copper-toned as the sun drops over the Saint-Tropez peninsula directly opposite.
To orchestrate every detail of an exceptional day or stay on this coastline, Adopte une Conciergerie is your dedicated partner on the French Riviera.
Geography and access: a beach best arrived at well
Nartelle beach extends along the Avenue du Général Touzet du Vigier, approximately 2 kilometres east of Sainte-Maxime town centre. Its morphology is dual: a generous public section, maintained daily by the municipality and awarded the Blue Flag — France's highest environmental distinction for beaches — and several prestigious private establishments that line the shore, offering premium sunbeds, gastronomic dining and high-end nautical services.
The beach is accessible by car with ample nearby parking, by public transport (bus stop under 500 metres), and by sea for clients arriving by yacht or tender from Saint-Tropez. This last option — reaching La Nartelle by water from Saint-Tropez harbour in around twenty minutes — is precisely the kind of logistics our teams coordinate for Adopte une Conciergerie members.
La Nartelle's private beach clubs: Mediterranean art de vivre at its finest
This is where the finest private beach clubs of Sainte-Maxime are concentrated — reputed to be among the chicest in the region, in direct competition with the legendary Pampelonne beach at Saint-Tropez. Each has its own identity, but all share the same foundation of excellence: personalised service, quality dining and an atmosphere that makes every day a timeless parenthesis.
Le WYC Beach — gastronomy and wellbeing facing the sea
Le WYC, located at La Nartelle, offers sunbeds for a day of leisure under the CĂ´te d'Azur sun. The restaurant, in a sublime setting, serves refined cuisine based on the finest local Var produce: fish, truffles. The relaxation area offers massage sessions, and the more active can enjoy water activities: boat hire, jet ski, water skiing, wakeboarding.
Le Saint-Barth — pool, aqua bar and tropical atmosphere
Le Saint-Barth offers homemade cuisine based on fresh produce and close relationships with local suppliers. This well-known private beach in Sainte-Maxime also features a pool and an aqua bar, as well as sunbeds and day beds for a restful time in the sun. An address that has succeeded in establishing an island atmosphere within the continental setting of the Gulf.
La Voile — seafood with your feet in the sand
La Voile restaurant is located on La Nartelle beach, east of Sainte-Maxime. This long, fine sandy beach offers an exceptional, unspoiled setting, bordered by turquoise waters where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. The menu celebrates the sea's produce with an honesty that rivals the great gastronomic tables of the gulf.
Chez Max — dolce vita and Italian spirit
Chez Max welcomes guests for days full of gentle pleasure and evenings bathed in light. In a setting inspired by the Italian riviera, spacious sunbeds, day beds for couples and families, a turquoise-water pool, lush vegetation and a lounge corner — every corner of the space invites genuine relaxation.
Water sports: the sea as an extraordinary playground
Numerous clubs offer instruction and improvement courses in jet skiing, paddleboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and parasailing. The translucent water reveals a rich marine fauna and flora, accessible from the very first metres.
La Nartelle is also recognised as an excellent spot for windsurfing, surfing and bodyboarding when the east wind blows — a frequent summer configuration that creates ideal conditions for intermediate and advanced practitioners. Stand-up paddleboard, canoe-kayak and pedalo rentals complete the offer for families and groups wishing to explore the coast at a gentler pace.
Sainte-Maxime and the Gulf of Saint-Tropez: an exceptional territory
Protected from the mistral by forested hills, the beaches of Sainte-Maxime face the Saint-Tropez peninsula and benefit from a privileged microclimate. Saint-Tropez itself, visible less than six kilometres opposite, is accessible by boat in around twenty minutes — making La Nartelle an ideal base for experiencing the full dimension of the gulf without enduring the congestion of the Tropézian port.
Sainte-Maxime also offers its own heritage: the Jardin Botanique des Myrtes, the 15th-century Tour Carrée, a Provençal market on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, and a lively marina from which daily excursions depart for the Îles d'Or (Porquerolles, Port-Cros and the Île du Levant).
How Adopte une Conciergerie organises your stay in Sainte-Maxime
Our presence on the French Riviera — from Cannes to Saint-Tropez — allows us to orchestrate stays that go far beyond booking a sunbed. We manage:
- Selection and reservation of your villa or private property in Sainte-Maxime or across the gulf
- Priority access to the finest private beach clubs and most sought-after tables at La Nartelle
- Skippered boat hire to reach Saint-Tropez, the islands or secret coves
- Bespoke water sport activities (jet ski, wakeboard, scuba diving, parasailing)
- Transfers to and from Nice-CĂ´te d'Azur airport or Saint-Tropez heliport
- Gastronomic dinner reservations and private culinary experiences
- Organisation of private events on the beach (birthdays, summer evenings, celebrations)
FAQ — Nartelle Beach and stays on the French Riviera
Is Nartelle beach free to access?
The public section of La Nartelle is freely accessible, at no charge, all year round. The private beach clubs (Le WYC, Le Saint-Barth, La Voile, Chez Max, etc.) offer day packages with sunbed and day-bed hire from approximately €30–50 per sunbed depending on the season and the establishment.
What is the best time of year to visit La Nartelle?
High season (July–August) delivers water temperatures of 26°C and maximum animation — but also maximum crowds. The golden shoulder season — June and September — is the connoisseur's preference: warm water (22–24°C), a relaxed atmosphere, and establishments fully open and operational. May and October offer a calm and luminous discovery of the gulf entirely free of crowds.
Is Nartelle beach suitable for children?
Yes — it is one of Sainte-Maxime's most family-friendly beaches. The beach is supervised in summer, the entry into the sea is gentle and gradual, and a nautical base offers activities designed for children. Infrastructure is complete: parking, sanitary facilities, fast-food catering, showers. Several private beach clubs have dedicated family zones.
Can one windsurf and kitesurf at La Nartelle?
Yes. The beach is recognised as a good windsurfing spot in east winds — a frequent summer configuration on the gulf (the local "Levant" wind). Conditions are particularly suited to intermediate and advanced practitioners. Bodyboarding and small-wave surfing are also practised. Lessons and equipment rental are available on-site or nearby through the base's nautical clubs.
How does one reach Saint-Tropez from La Nartelle?
Saint-Tropez is visible less than 6 km opposite. The maritime link is the most elegant option: regular shuttle services connect Sainte-Maxime and Saint-Tropez in 15 to 20 minutes. For a premium experience, Adopte une Conciergerie can arrange a private skippered boat transfer, departing directly from the beach or Sainte-Maxime harbour.
Is La Nartelle accessible for people with reduced mobility?
Yes. La Nartelle is among the best-equipped beaches in the Var for accessibility: amphibious wheelchair available on request, marked accessible access route, adapted sanitary facilities. The municipality of Sainte-Maxime holds the "Tourism and Disability" label and is actively committed on this front.
Can a private event be organised on La Nartelle?
Yes. Several establishments on La Nartelle offer full or partial privatisation for corporate events, birthday celebrations, weddings and private parties. These events can include live musical entertainment, a bespoke gastronomic menu, decoration and exclusive service. Adopte une Conciergerie coordinates these events end to end, from venue selection to the final guest's departure.
Which prestige hotels and villas are located near La Nartelle?
Several premium establishments face or lie within minutes of the beach: HĂ´tel La Nartelle (direct sea view and heated pool), Eden Villa (400 metres from the beach), and numerous luxury private villas with pools that we select and reserve for our members. For ultra-premium stays, we also offer villas with direct gulf access and a private tender on standby.
How can Adopte une Conciergerie enhance your Nartelle experience?
Beyond booking a sunbed, we orchestrate the complete experience: an exceptional villa, priority access to the best tables on the beach, skippered boat hire, bespoke water sports, helicopter transfers from Nice or Monaco, private sunset dinners on the gulf, and anything else a perfect stay might require. Contact us at Adopte une Conciergerie.
The Mediterranean at its very finest. Let Adopte une Conciergerie transform your day at La Nartelle into an experience you will long remember.