Le Prao Plage

Le Prao is one of the older private beaches on the Riviera, on the Nartelle sand east of Sainte-Maxime, and it has been steadily upgraded rather than replaced. The setting does most of the work: fine pale sand, water that stays shallow and turquoise a long way out, and a view across the gulf towards Saint-Tropez. The club runs a rooftop level above the beach, which is unusual here and gives it a second, quieter vantage for sunset drinks once the loungers empty. Cooking centres on the chargrill, with wild-caught fish and higher-grade cuts done simply, and there is a lounge bar and a snack card for anyone not committing to a full lunch. The service list is broad for a beach of this size: a beauty and treatment space, a boutique, valet service on top of a secured private car park, wifi, showers, watersports off the sand and moorings for guests arriving by boat, plus adapted access. Paddleboarding in the morning and a DJ or live set in the evening bookend a fairly long day. The season runs from spring to the end of September, and August weekends need booking well in advance.