Aya Nakamura got engaged here: the île de Bendor reopens after 5 years
What if your next Mediterranean escape was just 10 minutes by boat from Bandol? The île de Bendor, closed to the public since 2021 for renovation works, reopened in 2026, and it’s making a comeback with a very particular kind of sparkle. Because it was on this little corner of Provence that rapper RK chose to propose to singer Aya Nakamura.
7 August 2026: a marriage proposal that put the île de Bendor in the spotlight
It was a ceremony organised in the utmost secrecy that ended up being talked about around the world. On 7 August 2026, French rapper RK asked for Aya Nakamura’s hand in marriage on the île de Bendor. A setting chosen with care, far from the noise of big cities, for an intimate and deeply emotional moment.
The gesture brought renewed attention to a place that Mediterranean devotees know well, but which the wider public is only now rediscovering. The site’s reopening came at exactly the right time to host such a landmark event.
A Provençal island reopened after five years of works
Attached to the commune of Bandol in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, the île de Bendor is reachable from the mainland in just 10 minutes by ferry, with departures every 30 minutes. That proximity makes it an ideal destination for a day trip or a longer stay, with no major logistical headaches.
Closed since 2021, the island has reopened after five years of renovation. For visitors who knew it before its closure, the return is long-awaited. For first-timers, it’s an introduction to a place that carries an evocative nickname: the garden of the Mediterranean.
The buildings on the island, along with its hotels and restaurants, form an architectural ensemble that blends into the natural surroundings while staying true to the codes of the Provençal coastline. Nothing feels out of place, and it’s precisely that attention to harmony that creates the island’s sense of serenity.
Art, gastronomy and maritime heritage at the heart of the island
The île de Bendor owes part of its identity to the vision of entrepreneur Paul Ricard, who wanted to turn it into a refuge for artists. That project is still legible in the landscape today: sculptures are dotted across the island, including an imposing statue of the Greco-Roman god Neptune. The work speaks to both the island’s maritime roots and its cultural history.
On the dining front, several well-regarded restaurants serve cuisine built around fresh seafood and regional produce. For lovers of local gastronomy, the island offers direct access to Provençal culinary heritage, in a setting that only heightens the pleasure of the meal.
- Boat access from Bandol in 10 minutes, with departures every 30 minutes
- Reopened in 2026 after five years of closure for renovation works
- Sculptures throughout the island, including a statue of Neptune
- Restaurants showcasing fresh seafood and local regional produce
- Hotels integrated into the landscape in a Provençal architectural style
Stars from around the world drawn to this Mediterranean gem
The reopening of the île de Bendor has generated interest well beyond France’s borders. American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, best known for her lead role in the cult 1990s-2000s series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, chose the island for her holiday, a well-earned break for the actress, who is simultaneously working on a feature film and the filming of the Dexter prequel series.
That kind of high-profile visitor illustrates the international pull the island now commands. Far from being a well-kept secret, Bendor is establishing itself as a sought-after destination for those in search of tranquillity, Mediterranean beauty, and a strong cultural and gastronomic offering all in one place.
For anyone planning their summer 2026, the île de Bendor ticks several boxes at once: easy access from Bandol, a carefully considered natural and architectural setting, open-air artworks, and tables that celebrate the flavours of the region. A complete package, less than an hour from Marseille.
