When Paul Ricard acquired the island of Bendor in 1950, he set out to transform it into a symbol of Provençal art de vivre. It was a fitting pursuit for Ricard, the entrepreneur who first commercialised France’s iconic pastis, an aperitif synonymous with the region’s leisurely spirit. Over time, his singular vision drew a constellation of dreamers and jetsetters, from Salvador Dalí to Josephine Baker, who flocked to soak up the sun-drenched glamour of this coastal idyll. “In building this miniature world,” Ricard noted in his autobiography, “I realised that I could do anything I wanted. I only had to take the size of the place into account, with sky and sea as the sole limits to my dreams.”
This enduring ambition serves as the blueprint for the island’s next chapter. Following a painstaking five-year renovation, Zannier Hotels, together with the Ricard family, has restored Île de Bendor to its former glory, reviving its spirit of escapism, creativity and Mediterranean warmth – all just a seven-minute boat ride from the coastal town of Bandol.
At the heart of the seven-hectare island is a boutique hotel, the sixth property on the Zannier Hotels roster, reimagined as a Provençal-style village rooted in charm and a sustainable ethos. Designed by Paris-based Hardel Le Bihan Architectes and Niez Studio Paysagistes, the resort’s 93 rooms are spread across three distinct areas: Soukana, a sea-facing wellness retreat characterised by muted, earthy tones; Delos, a tribute to golden-age glamour with its mid-century furnishings and fringed, terracotta parasols; and Madrague, a collection of five family-style houses, each with its own private garden.
“We imagined Île de Bendor as a destination in its own right,” explains Arnaud Zannier, the group’s founder. “A place designed to be lived in, not visited. We aim to turn it into a Mediterranean refuge, set apart from the polish of the Côte d’Azur, rooted in art, wellbeing, gastronomy and a genuine conviviality.” A lifelong patron of the arts, Ricard’s passion for creative pursuits is honoured with a gallery, three artisan ateliers and a craft-led concept store – and Bendor has been rewilded, expanding its green footprint with a 15 per cent increase in trees, true to his wish for an “island garden”.
Elsewhere, a spa, a vibrant beach club and a range of dining concepts – from an on-site creperie to the second outpost of Menorca’s “party-infused” Nonna Bazaar – see that the island’s second act is every bit as bold as its first.
Île de Bendor opens on May 1, 2026.
zannierhotels.com
@zannieriledebendor
Do
Slather on SPF for an afternoon at Plage du Capelan, a wild, unspoilt pebble beach; hike the Sentier du Littoral, a coastal trail that winds through the Var region’s pine canopy toward Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer; or pay a visit to Sanary-sur-Mer, Bandol’s neighbouring town, known for its kaleidoscopic harbour and prize-winning Wednesday market.
Eat
Mediterranean brasserie Qeya serves sunny, seasonal fare in a sleek setting of dimly lit archways and lime-washed walls. Le Bistrot de Pauline has buckets of old-school charm and a menu of freshly caught seafood, while Maison Gavroche pairs harbourside views with artisan scoops of ice-cream and gelato.
Drink
The Bandol appellation is one of France’s oldest, home to 67 historic wine estates. For a quintessential tasting, visit the vine-lined Domaine de La Tour du Bon. Alternatively, head for sundowners at Le Spot, the waterfront bar at Hôtel Plein Large.
Shop
Pick up vintage designer treasures – from Burberry trenches to Chanel flap bags – at K Concept Store, or source the region’s best labels at La Maison des Vins. On Tuesday mornings, the Marché de Bandol hosts local vendors selling small-batch olive oils, fresh produce and woven baskets galore.
