Bendor and Les Embiez, the island of the Arts and the island of Nature. Two islands dreamt up by one man and now open to everyone.

Paul Ricard (9 July 1909 - 7 November 1997), on purchasing Bendor (1950) and then Les Embiez (1958), two islands off the coast of the Var, was initially tempted to make them into “a place of repose for me and my family” (*).

This sea lover and intrepid navigator came to live at Les Embiez, and strove to protect nature in all its forms.

Bendor was the creation of an enthusiastic patron and builder, Les Embiez is the work of a sea lover, a nature enthusiast:  “the ideal spot to relax and to spend one’s holiday, with everything you need to be happy” (*).

*Paul Ricard, La Passion de créer, Albin Michel, Paris, 1983

Paul Ricard died on 7 November 1997. And since his death, every year, on 7 July, the island has commemorated his birthday. Paul Ricard’s centenary will be commemorated in 2009.