Gems of Provence 
and Monaco

Creativity, sea, and serenity converge on the private island of Bendor, which languidly awaits off the coast of Bandol in Provence. This utopian haven – nicknamed the “Garden of Mediterranean Arts” – unfolds landscapes bathed in an ethereal light, alongside translucent coves and maritime pines. Conceived as an outpost for artistic vitality and genuine camaraderie by French industrialist Paul Ricard, the island drew a constellation of 20th-century icons, including Salvador Dalí and Josephine Baker. Today, Ricard’s dream endures as a cherished family legacy, even as the island undergoes an extensive renovation to protect and elevate its soul. Set to reopen in 2026, the island of Bendor will once again stand as the epitome of Provençal luxury.

1955: a film, an actress, a small fishing village, and a phenomenal success. The film was And God Created Woman, the actress Brigitte Bardot, and the village, Saint-Tropez. BB became a myth, and Saint-Tropez, a legend. Royals, actors, writers, painters, sculptors… all flocked to its shores. ""Saint-Trop',"" as insiders call it, became the epicenter of laid-back chic.

People adore it for its beaches—of which there are many (Pampelonne, La Ponche, Les Canoubiers…)—and their restaurants; its old port, where yachts and fishing boats intermingle; its narrow streets and ochre-colored facades; the Place des Lices, alive with endless pétanque games; the Voiles regatta, showcasing the most magnificent sailboats; and its “institutions”: morning coffee at Sénéquier and sandals crafted here and nowhere else.

Time, seasons, and trends may come and go, but Saint-Tropez remains: a way of life.

Its story reads like a fairytale: a small fishing village transformed into the world’s cinema capital, thanks to a festival that became the second most-publicized event on the planet, after the Olympics. For ten days, they’re draped in a red carpet, lit by flashing cameras as the world’s biggest stars ascend them.

For over 75 years, the Cannes Film Festival has discovered talent, created legends, and immortalized those who’ve graced the famous Croisette. With beaches and luxury hotels on one side, and designer boutiques on the other, the Croisette is Cannes’ glamorous heartbeat. And even when the festival lights fade, with the Lérins Islands in view and the old town of Le Suquet nearby, Cannes stays forever in the spotlight.

Often called ""The Rock,"" Monaco is anything but ordinary. It’s a place where a prince (Rainier) married a movie star (Grace Kelly) and a sovereign city-state perched high on cliffs that descend into the Mediterranean. Monaco is a global village where the elite gather for exclusive events like the Monaco Yacht Show, the Rose Ball, and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

But Monaco has much more to offer. Its rich history is reflected in landmarks like the 1646 Chapel of Mercy, the Cathedral, the Belle Époque Casino by Charles Garnier, and the 16th-century Major Ramp with its ancient gates. Meanwhile, modern marvels like 100-meter towers and the Materra district rising from the sea, designed by Renzo Piano, point to its future.
In Monaco, time seems to stand still.