Zannier Hotels to manage French private island Île de Bendor
Zannier Hotels has been appointed to manage the redesign of iconic private island Île de Bendor in the south of France.
The six-hectare island is located 300 metres off the coast of the city of Bandol in Provence and is owned by the family of French industrialist Paul Ricard, who bought and developed the land in 1950.
A statement from Zannier Hotels said it had been selected by the Ricard family to manage and operate the island following a “competitive” tender for the contract of the land.
Île de Bendor will undergo a complete renovation over the next three years and is expected to reopen as Zannier Hotels Bendor in 2026.
The refurbishment will see the island transformed into a “Provençal-style village” featuring a 93-room hotel and an array of restaurants, bars and social spaces, including the second outpost of Nonna Bazaar, the immersive dining concept launched by Zannier Hotels in Menorca last year.
There will also be a beach club, curated artisan village, holistic wellness offering and spa.
Zannier Hotels will oversee all aspects of the island’s evolution including all architectural, landscaping and interior design decisions.
The brand said it was working “as a united front” with the Ricard family alongside Paris-based architect Hardel Le Bihan Architectes and landscape design studio Niez Studio Paysagistes.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Ricard family on this pioneering project highlighting the magical island of Bendor, set to become the Zannier Hotels European flagship,” said founder Arnaud Zannier.
“At Zannier Hotels, we are committed to creating individually exceptional and truly unique projects around the world, rooted in artisan-led design, gastronomic heritage, sustainable development and one-of-a-kind experiences – from life-enhancing wellness to meaningful cultural connection – and Zannier Hotels Bendor will be no exception, encompassing all of these values.”
Marc de Jouffroy, board member of Société Paul Ricard, who is in charge of the project, added: “For this exceptional project, very meaningful to the Ricard family and entirely financed by the holding, we took the time to select the best possible partner. Given that the property will remain under our family, we wanted to ensure that the partner we chose to embark on this journey with was completely aligned to the ethos and vision of our founding father, Paul Ricard.
“We chose Zannier Hotels because they perfectly understood the soul of Île de Bendor, and because our family shares their approach to luxury, valuing authenticity, simplicity, and emotion. We are convinced that, together, we will restore Île de Bendor to its former glory and make it one of the most iconic destinations in the Mediterranean.”
Île de Bendor marks Zannier Hotels’ sixth property, joining Le Chalet, France; Phum Baitang, Cambodia; Omaanda, Namibia; Sonop, Namibia; and Bãi San Hô, Vietnam.