Just off the coast of Bandol in the South of France, a small island sits in view of the mainland. It takes less than ten minutes to reach, yet it feels like a different world. Ahead, Île de Bendor beckons – a hotel that occupies the entire island, conceived as a floating Provençal village, surrounded entirely by the sea.
Opening on 1 May 2026, Zannier Île de Bendor brings new life to an island long woven into the cultural fabric of the French Riviera. First imagined in the 1950s by Paul Ricard, the entrepreneur behind France’s iconic pastis and a passionate patron of the arts, the island became a place for creativity, conviviality and Riviera glamour.
Decades later, the Ricard family chose to entrust its next chapter to Zannier Hotels, marking the first collaboration of this kind for both brands. Known for their design-led approach and deep respect for place, Zannier has approached Bendor with trademark sensitivity, restoring existing buildings, preserving the island’s original layout and introducing new spaces, most notably the wellness centre.
In its new chapter, it will feel less like a hotel and more like a summer retreat. Easy, sociable and effortlessly stylish, with a hint of the Riviera’s 1960s heyday, where days will unfold around coffee, conversation, sea air and creative energy.
- 01. Why Île de Bendor Feels Different
- 02. Staying on the Island: Three Ways to Experience Bendor
- 03. Eating Well and Taking Your Time
- 04. All-round Wellbeing
- 05. A Place for Creativity
- 06. Days on the Water, Afternoons on Land
- 07. Getting There, and Getting Away
- 08. FAQs
- 9. Make it Tailormade with Lightfoot
- 10. Lightfoot Exclusive Offer at Zannier Île de Bendor
- 11. The Lightfoot Perspective
Île de Bendor is a private island with a soul. Locals and non-resident guests are welcome to visit Île de Bendor if they have a reservation at one of the island’s restaurants, bars or spa – a significant detail that gives the island its atmosphere. There’s a sense of real life here that goes beyond the hotel.
Mornings might begin with a swim from the rocks or a quiet coffee by the harbour. By midday, the island will take on a gentle buzz as people move between cafés, shaded terraces and the shoreline. Come evening, the pace shifts again as the rooftop fills at sunset, glasses are poured, and dinner stretches into the night.
The presence of the local community is what gives Bendor its edge. Residents arrive from the mainland for lunch, a game of pétanque, or an early evening drink, and the result is a place that feels social without ever feeling crowded.
Why Île de Bendor Feels Different
Staying on the Island: Three Ways to Experience Bendor
Accommodation is spread across three distinct areas, each offering a slightly different mood, though all remain connected by the island’s easy, walkable scale.
Delos: Riviera Spirit, Revisited
In Delos, there’s a nod to the South of France's golden years. Interiors lean into a refined 1960s aesthetic with soft lines, warm tones, and a sense of understated glamour. There’s a sociable feel here, with sea views, a lively bar, and evenings that take on a life of their own.
Well suited to couples or friends, Delos is where the island feels most animated.
Soukana: Slower, Softer, Closer to Nature
Set slightly apart, Soukana offers a quieter counterpoint. Surrounded by gardens and close to the wellbeing centre, it’s a place where days unfold more gently, often spent outdoors.
Natural materials, soft colours and open space create a calm, easy atmosphere that feels comfortable rather than curated. Families tend to gravitate here, though it suits anyone looking to slow things down.
Madrague Houses: A More Private Corner
Scattered between the two, the Madrague Houses were once fishermen’s homes. Today, they’ve been reimagined as intimate, duplex-style spaces with private gardens.
Each house could be described as a spacious hotel suite, perfect for anyone who prefers a little more privacy.
Food on Bendor is a real highlight, with different spaces suited to the time of day and the mood you are in. There are three restaurants, four bars, a café and creperie offering a variety of gastronomic culinary experiences from guest chefs, to all-day dining and menus inspired by the Mediterranean, as well as artisan cocktails and healthy snacks and juices.
At the heart of the island, Nonna Bazaar brings together Mediterranean influences in a relaxed, familial setting with a nod to the spirit of a Provençal market, whereas Soukana offers healthy cuisine with a Vietnamese twist. Elsewhere, the Paul Ricard Café is perfect for slow mornings with coffee and newspapers, while the crêperie should not be missed by those looking for a sweet treat. For something more elevated, Le Grand Large overlooks the sea, showcasing culinary talent in a more refined and formal setting.
Eating Well and Taking Your Time
All-round Wellbeing
The island’s 1,200 sqm wellbeing centre is designed to take a less prescriptive, more personal approach to wellness.
Rather than fixed programmes, the focus is on understanding where you are and what might help restore balance. A resident naturopath works alongside a range of therapies, including bioresonance – a non-invasive method that uses electromagnetic frequencies to read how the body is functioning and highlight areas of imbalance. From there, treatments and small adjustments are suggested, with the aim of creating changes that feel realistic to continue at home.
There are indoor and outdoor pools, private treatment spaces, and areas for movement and rest. In practice, it’s likely that a combination of sea air, slower days and good sleep will do much of the work.
Art has always been part of Bendor’s identity, and it continues to play a central role.
An artisan village will bring together a rotating community of makers, from ceramicists and textile artists to illustrators and designers, all working on the island throughout the season. Guests will be able to visit studios, spend time with artists, or take part in small, hands-on workshops, from ceramics and embroidery to more sensory experiences such as lavender weaving and natural object-making.
Alongside this, the island will host a programme of exhibitions and cultural moments. At the Théâtre Scotto, Le Son du Large will run from May through to October, taking inspiration from the Mediterranean and its shifting landscapes.
Art here is not something set apart. It becomes part of how you move through the island, something you come across naturally, whether stepping into a studio, joining a workshop, or simply passing through.
A Place for Creativity
Days on the Water, Afternoons on Land
Life on Bendor moves easily between land and sea.
There are two beaches, one sandy, one rocky, along with opportunities for sailing, diving and a range of water-based activities. The island’s diving centre, one of the first established in the South of France, reflects Paul Ricard’s long-standing connection to the sea.
Back on land, days might unfold with a game of pétanque, a walk around the island (it takes around 20 minutes end to end), or simply finding a quiet place to sit, sip a cocktail and watch the light change.
Île de Bendor sits just 300 metres offshore from Bandol.
A complimentary shuttle boat runs every 30 minutes, with a crossing time of around seven minutes. For hotel guest arrivals and departures, smaller Riviera-style boats offer a more private transfer.
Marseille Airport is around an hour away, with Toulon slightly closer. Nice can be reached in under two hours, making the island an easy addition to a wider journey through Provence or the Riviera.
We recommend a stay of three nights or more. Long enough to settle into island life, but already thinking about when you might return.
Getting There, and Getting Away
FAQs
When does Zannier Île de Bendor open? The island reopens on 1 May 2026, with all facilities available from launch.
How do you reach the island? A short boat transfer from Bandol takes around seven minutes. Shuttle boats run every 30 minutes throughout the day.
Is the island private? Guests staying on the island have full access, while visitors from the mainland can arrive with reservations at the restaurants or bars, creating a more social, village-like atmosphere.
How many rooms are there? There are 93 rooms and suites, spread across three distinct areas: Delos, Soukana and the Madrague Houses.
Is it suitable for families? Yes, at Zannier Île de Bendor, children are welcome. There is a Kids' Club which is open daily and is complimentary for hotel guests. Zannier has collaborated with Tartine et Chocolate, a renowned French children's brand. To make every stay magical for children, they have created a special welcome for the youngest guests. Children will be well looked after with special activities, adventure maps, bedtime stories, and delightful surprises.
What is the recommended length of stay? A minimum of three nights is recommended to fully experience the island.
Zannier Île de Bendor works beautifully as part of a wider journey through the South of France. We recommend pairing it with time in Provence’s countryside, where vineyard estates and hilltop villages offer a quieter counterpoint, or continuing along the coast towards Cannes or Monaco for a more classic Riviera experience. For those drawn to culture and gastronomy, Aix-en-Provence is an easy addition, known for its markets, art and café-lined squares. We design each itinerary around how you like to travel, whether that means slow days between destinations, private tastings, or time by the sea. Zannier Île de Bendor can be the centrepiece of a trip, or a final stop to properly unwind.
Make it Tailormade with Lightfoot
Lightfoot Exclusive Offer at Zannier Île de Bendor
Through our partnership with Zannier Hotels, Lightfoot clients have access to a selection of special opening offers at Île de Bendor. These include preferential rates, additional nights on longer stays, and special honeymoon privileges, such as thoughtful in-room touches and celebratory amenities.
Offers vary by season and availability, so we recommend speaking with our team to tailor the best combination for your travel dates.
What makes Île de Bendor compelling is how naturally everything comes together.
It’s easy to reach, yet once you arrive, it feels far removed from your everyday life. For those who know the French Riviera well, it offers a different way of experiencing it. And for those arriving for the first time, it feels refreshing and authentic.
Speak to our team to start planning your stay at Zannier Île de Bendor as part of a wider journey through the South of France.
The Lightfoot Perspective
Photography credits: Zannier Properties
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