One of Europe’s most highly anticipated openings, Zannier Bendor, is set to debut on the private French island of Île de Bendor in spring 2026, after five years of transformation.
With bookings now live, Zannier Hotels has appointed Emmanuel Blanchemanche as General Manager and renowned chef Lionel Levy as Executive Chef, as the project unveils expansive dining and wellbeing programming in a combined effort of Société Paul Ricard and Zannier Hotels to restore the isle’s legacy as a convivial gathering place steeped in old-world glamour. The Ricard family, guardians of Paul Ricard’s vision, joins forces with the excellence of Zannier Hotels to write this new chapter.
Facing the town of Bandol in Provence, the seven-hectare island was first brought to life in 1950 by Marseille-born pastis pioneer Paul Ricard and this meticulous five-year revival has been spearheaded by hotelier Arnaud Zannier, hand-in-hand with Ricard’s great grandson, Marc de Jouffroy of Société Paul Ricard. Working as a united front, Zannier and the Ricard family have overseen all aspects of the island’s evolution, together with new General Manager Emmanuel Blanchemanche, Hardel Le Bihan Architectes and Niez Studio Paysagistes, as the destination is poised to become the new social, culinary and wellness capital of the French Riviera.
With a joint commitment to restore and preserve its very essence, the Provençal-style village will reopen as an elegant 93-key hotel, set across three island locations, complete with a holistic wellbeing centre, beach cove and diving centre and a choice of eight dining spaces – including the second outpost of Nonna Bazaar – to reframe Paul Ricard’s dream of an island imbued with soul.
“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.
Zannier Bendor will see distinct styles: Delos, Soukana and Madrague, thoughtfully curated across these three signature settings, all with their own ambience and guest experience. The 39-key Delos will encapsulate the refined spirit of the 1960s French Riviera, the 49-key Soukana will centre around wellbeing and reconnection and the five two-storey Madrague houses, each with a private garden, will provide authentic Provençal charm for young families near the harbour.
