Just 7 minutes from Bandol, this island has reopened after 5 years and is already drawing celebrities
Picture an island a seven-minute boat ride away, closed for five years, reopening with a five-star hotel, a 1,200 m² spa and celebrities already spotted on the premises. That is exactly what the île de Bendor now offers, nestled just a few hundred metres from the port of Bandol in the Var.
Bendor, the island off Bandol that transformed itself during five years of closure
Since 1 May 2026, Bendor has been welcoming visitors again after a break of nearly five years. The closure had begun in October 2021, leaving this small Mediterranean territory off-limits while a sweeping transformation took place. The island covers just seven hectares in total, meaning everything on it is within a few minutes’ walk.
Its story is inseparable from Paul Ricard, the entrepreneur who bought it in 1950 and turned it into a meeting place for artists and public figures. Hotels, studios, a village and works of art gradually gave this corner of the Mediterranean a singular identity. The reopening project, led by Zannier Hotels, chose to build on that heritage rather than erase it.
In practical terms, the island now houses a five-star hotel with 93 rooms spread across several distinct worlds. Le Delos evokes the Riviera of the 1960s, Soukana leans into a pared-back, nature-facing atmosphere, and the Madrague houses draw on the spirit of traditional Provençal dwellings. Each space offers a different experience, yet everything remains within easy walking distance.
What to do on the island, just off Bandol
The reopening goes well beyond accommodation. Three restaurants, four bars, a café and a crêperie have set up on the island, with Mediterranean gastronomy as the common thread. Le Grand Large is among the returning addresses.
On the wellness front, the transformation is striking. A 1,200 m² space has been created, featuring an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a hammam, treatment rooms, a fitness area and a yoga platform. Tennis and pickleball courts, water sports, a children’s club and spaces dedicated to art and artisans round out the offering.
- Five-star hotel with 93 rooms across three distinct worlds
- Three restaurants, four bars, a café and a crêperie
- 1,200 m² spa with indoor and outdoor pools, hammam and yoga
- Tennis and pickleball courts, water sports
- Children’s club and spaces dedicated to art and artisans
This blend of Provençal heritage and high-end amenities gives Bendor the feel of a destination in its own right, far beyond a simple day trip from the Var coast.
Celebrities and unexpected media attention from summer 2026
The reopening has not gone unnoticed. American actress Sarah Michelle Gellar stayed on the island, and Bendor served as the setting for rapper RK‘s marriage proposal to Aya Nakamura on 7 August. Cosmopolitan magazine highlighted this influx of high-profile guests, giving the island considerable media exposure for a site that had received no visitors for several years.
From the island, the views sweep across Bandol and the entire Var coastline. Back on the mainland, the Bandol vineyards, Provençal villages and nearby calanques make it easy to extend a stay.
What to know before catching the shuttle from Bandol
This is the essential practical detail to be aware of before planning a visit. Since a rule change that came into effect in early July, the shuttle connecting the port of Bandol to the island every thirty minutes is reserved for people with a reservation. That can mean a hotel night, a restaurant booking, a spa session or an activity.
It is therefore no longer possible to buy a simple boat ticket, land on the island and wander around freely. Bendor now positions itself as a destination where the experience is planned in advance. For those with a reservation, the crossing is included and the shuttle runs until 1 November 2026, with services continuing into the late evening.
That detail meaningfully changes the image of an island open to all for a spontaneous stroll. For those who plan ahead, however, Bendor offers a rare Mediterranean setting just seven minutes from the port of Bandol.
