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A swish private island resort is coming to the French Riviera in 2026

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
Opening 1 May 2026, Zannier Bendor is reimagining the private Île de Bendor as a luxe coastal idyll. 

If you’ve ever fancied old-world French Riviera sans the crowds of St Tropez, this chic new private island resort may just be your best bet.  

A highly anticipated hotel set on a storied sliver of land just off Provence’s Bandol coast, Zannier Bendor will officially welcome its first guests on 1 May 2026. Private island Île de Bendor was purchased in the 1950s by Marseille-born pastis pioneer Paul Ricard, who developed it into a glamourous gathering place for creativity and conviviality. Today, Société Paul Ricard and Zannier Hotels are restoring the Ricard family vision with a contemporary edge – and bookings are now live.  

The tiny island has big ambitions. After five years of transformation, the revived island will open as a 93-key, village-like retreat that delicately struts the line between calm Provençal charm and the French Riviera’s social buzz. Along with eight dining and drinking spaces, Zannier Bendor will feature a 1200-square-metre wellbeing centre, beach cove, diving centre and three artisan ateliers.  

zannier bendor private island
Zannier Bendor sits on a seven-hectare private island. (Image: Zannier Hotels)

Zannier Hotels founder Arnaud Zannier frames the seven-hectare island project, which will mark Zannier Hotels’ sixth global property and second in France, as a reimagining of Paul Ricard’s island vision and a “miniature world" – with distinct lifestyle, dining, nature and wellness experiences all in one place.

“Île de Bendor was Paul Ricard’s dream – a place of freedom, creativity and joy, cherished by the locals for generations," says Arnaud Zannier. “We feel deeply honoured to be entrusted with its future. Together with the Ricard family, we are restoring the island with sensitivity and emotion – preserving its soul, its memories, its sense of wonder. Our role is to reveal what has always made Bendor extraordinary, and to gently shape its next chapter with the quiet elegance of Zannier Hotels."

Bar Patrick Zannier Bendor
Bar Patrick overlooks the Mediterranean. (Image: Zannier Hotels)

The venture is truly a joint effort. The transformation has been led by Marc de Jouffroy (the great-grandson of Paul Ricard), alongside Arnaud Zannier, Hardel Le Bihan Architectes and Niez Studio Paysagistes. Fulfilling Paul Ricard’s dream to make Bendor an island garden, Île de Bendor has been rewilded with 15 per cent more trees than before the rebuild. 

From our vantage point, the timing is impeccable. The upscale travel market is shifting – there’s less interest in slick mega‑resorts and more in thoughtful, immersive stays with provenance. Zannier Bendor ticks those boxes. And the buzz around the Riviera’s so-called “new social, culinary and wellness capital" has already begun. 

The location

The Soukana Pool at Zannier Bendor
The Soukana pool at Zannier Bendor is a sweet sunset spot. (Image: Zannier Hotels)

Zannier Bendor is just a seven-minute boat ride from the coastal town of Bandol in Provence, which lies approximately 40 minutes east of Marseille by car. From here, visitors can easily explore the South of France’s idyllic landscapes, from vineyards and villages to sprawling lavender fields. Bandol is around one hour south of Aix-en-Provence and 20 minutes west of Toulon by car. The Côte d’Azur also offers plenty of day trip opportunities, with St Tropez one hour and Nice two hours’ drive away.

On the island itself, guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mediterranean from a verdant, tranquil setting with dashes of old-world glamour and Provençal charisma. There are private gardens to wander, beach coves to dive into, art programmes to explore and culinary experiences to indulge in, all designed to immerse visitors in the island’s effortlessly chic lifestyle.

The hotel

Delos Harbour Suite at Zannier Bendor
Breezy living space in the Delos Harbour Suite. (Image: Zannier Hotels)

Combining restored heritage buildings with suave new accommodations, the village-style resort will feature 93 airy rooms across three distinct spaces: Delos, Soukana and Madrague – each with its own ambience and design identity.

Delos, comprising 39 rooms, harnesses the nostalgic spirit of the 1960s French Riviera with sculptural statements and striped textiles reminiscent of the beloved beach umbrellas often seen dotting the South of France’s coastlines. Forty-nine-key Soukana has its sights set on wellness with a grounding earthy palette that invites connection to nature, while the five two-storey Madrague houses are each decked out with charming Provençal touches and a private garden.

madrague houses zannier bendor
The Madrague houses exude country charm. (Image: Octav Tirziu Atelier/Zannier Hotels)

Another highlight of Zannier Bendor is its 1200-square-metre holistic wellness space. One of the largest spas in the region, the centre takes cues from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, osteopathy and naturopathy to offer guests personalised wellbeing journeys. The facilities are extensive: eight treatment rooms including a honeymoon massage suite with private spa, hammam, cold bath, mud bath, Iyashi dome, and indoor and outdoor pool. Ease the mind with meditation, or get endorphins flowing at the yoga and reformer Pilates studio, high-tech gym, tennis court or one of three pickleball courts.

Zannier Bendor wellness centre
Zannier Bendor will boast a sprawling wellness space. (Image: Octav Tirziu Atelier/Zannier Hotels)

And the resort isn’t exclusive to adults. Families are well catered for with spacious multi-storey houses at Madrague, endless ocean sporting pursuits and a dedicated kids’ club to ensure all members of the clan are kept happy.

The dining

Nonna Bazaar restaurant bendor
Nonna Bazaar restaurant has dreamy interiors. (Image: Zannier Hotels)

At Zannier Bendor, dining is all about cherishing shared meals with loved ones and new companions. The resort offers three restaurants, four bars and lounges, and a creperie for those with incurable sweet tooths. Le Grand Large restaurant steals the spotlight with stunning ocean vistas and a programme of visiting chefs, Delos delivers laid-back all-day dining by the main pool and Café Paul Ricard keeps things authentic with traditional Provençal cuisine. Meanwhile, Soukana Restaurant dishes up Asian-fusion meals paired with artisanal cocktails and Nonna Bazaar, a multi-sensory dining concept first seen on the Spanish island of Menorca in 2022, hones in on family and friendship with Mediterranean share plates.

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Zannier Bendor at a glance

Soukana Terrace Suite bedroom, Zannier Bendor
Earthy notes in the Soukana Terrace Suite bedroom. (Image: Zannier Hotels)

Number of rooms: 93

Nightly room rates: from 620€ for a room and 1455€ for a suite in medium season (1 May to 31 May, 1 September to 31 October), including breakfast; from 745€ for a room and 1745€ for a suite in high season (1 June to 31 August)

Resort focus: local immersion, coastal setting, culinary and wellness

Best for: couples and families seeking a refined and relaxing retreat by the sea

Nearest airport: Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), 55 kilometres

How to get to Zannier Bendor: take a seven-minute boat ride from the town of Bandol, Provence

Opening date: 1 May 2026

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is International Traveller’s Associate Editor. El began her career writing for national magazines including Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel, and has since developed a soft spot for wild landscapes, thoughtful design and the human stories that bring them to life. She holds an honours degree in English and philosophy from the University of Sydney, and has lived abroad in both Switzerland and France – ostensibly to sharpen her French, though the pastries made a strong supporting case. One day, she hopes to swim with humpback whales off the coast of Mo'orea.
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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.