Zannier Bendor set to open in 2026Île de Bendor, France

If you’ve ever dreamed of running away to your own private French island, but preferably one with a top-tier spa and multiple restaurants, Zannier Bendor is about to make that fantasy very real. Opening May 1, 2026, this freshly revived slice of Provence is stepping back onto the world stage after a five-year glow-up.

Originally the passion project of pastis pioneer Paul Ricard (because of course the man behind anise liqueur also built an island), Île de Bendor has been lovingly restored by the Ricard family and the team at Zannier Hotels.

And the result is a rewilded, reimagined Mediterranean haven with 93 rooms spread across three distinct personalities: Delos (1960s French Riviera chic), Soukana (the zen wellness escape your burnout has been begging for), and Madrague (charming two-storey houses perfect for families who travel with stuff).

Food-wise, come hungry. There are three restaurants, four bars, a creperie, and the kind of culinary programming that heavily suggests you may never cook again. Expect sea-view fine dining at Le Grand Large, Provençal classics at Café Paul Ricard, and the wildly popular Nonna Bazaar making its mainland-France debut with enough sharing plates to ruin normal dining for you.

And then there’s the 1,200-square-metre spa, which casually pulls from Ayurveda, TCM, osteopathy, naturopathy, and whatever else your body didn’t know it needed. Pools, hammam, mud baths, Pilates, pickleball - all you have to do is pick your path to enlightenment.

Paul Ricard wanted an “island garden.” Zannier Bendor is bringing it back, with extra glamour, extra soul, and like, way more trees.