Private Island Idyll: Île de Bendor

A private island off the south of France, dreamed up by Marseillais pastis founder Paul Ricard to embody the Mediterranean “art de vivre,” and now with Zannier Hotels at the helm, this is a launch deserving of its buzz. Île de Bendor was bought by Ricard in 1950, a stony outcrop off the coast of Bandol, 45km east of Marseille and 15km west of Toulon. Not quite the French Riviera, an air of its old world glamour combined with a low-key Marseille edge rendered the island an in-the-know hideaway. 75 years later and the Île De Bendor is poised for its next chapter, a collaboration between Ricard’s great grandson Marc de Jouffroy, of Societe Paul Ricard, and Zannier Hotels founder Arnaud Zannier. “It is with great emotion that we finalise the rebirth of Bendor and with pride that we entrust “Paul Ricard’s miniature world” to Zannier Hotels, whose vision for hospitality is fully in line with our ambition to elevate Bendor to the rank of one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean” says Marc de Jouffroy.

With architects Hardel Le Bihan and landscape designers Niez Studio Paysagistes, the team delved into the archives in order to preserve the spirit of the island, linked intrinsically to the nature of its surroundings - the sea and Provencal landscape. The outcome is three distinctly styled settings: Delos, Soukana and Madrague. 39-room Delos has a nostalgia for the 1960s French Riviera; 49-room Soukana focuses on wellbeing and reconnection; while five two-storey Madrague houses, former fishermen’s houses near the harbour, are ideal for young families. Bespoke interiors by Zannier Design Studio make use of the region’s natural materials while an art collection curated by Orae Gallery extends to an on-site art gallery and ‘creators in residence’ programme hosting workshops for guests. First in is Croatian ceramicist Zeljana Vidoviec Mioli, inspired by the textures and rhythms of the Adriatic coastline.

The art of food and drink is celebrated wholeheartedly, from restaurants under Michelin-starred chef Lionel Levy to the reimagining of Café Paul Ricard serving traditional Provençal fare and Nonna Bazaar, a multi-sensory lifestyle and restaurant concept first launched on the island of Menorca in 2022, here with a beach club outpost. The art of wellness is given equal standing with the Resonance Spa encompassing all elements of holistic wellbeing, from dedicated treatments drawing from Ayurveda to movement on the reformer machine, pickleball and tennis courts, and personalised nutrition plans.

“The ambition is to reimagine Paul Ricard’s island dream, crafting a destination that captures his forward-looking spirit of creativity, sharing, and openness; values that we embrace” explains Arnaud Zannier.

This is one to earmark for summer ‘26.