My experience was both challenging and transformative. Despite the initial difficulties of a medically supervised fasting regime, I soon discovered renewed energy, improved sleep and an unexpected clarity of mind. Daily walks, therapeutic treatments and moments of quiet reflection formed part of a carefully structured programme that left me feeling physically stronger, mentally refreshed and five kilograms lighter. It was a compelling reminder of the importance of occasionally stepping away from life’s relentless demands to prioritise one’s health.

Now Buchinger Wilhelmi is preparing to bring its distinctive approach to wellbeing to a third European destination. The fourth-generation family business has announced plans for a new flagship clinic in the hills above the Côte d’Azur, expected to open in the coming years. Joining its established centres at Lake Constance in Germany, opened in 1953, and Marbella in Spain, established in 1973, the French property will combine more than a century of fasting expertise with cutting-edge research and longevity medicine.

Designed by Nice-based architects GOMIS & Associés, with interiors by acclaimed Milanese designer Matteo Thun, the new retreat will reflect the brand’s commitment to health, sustainability and longevity. Guests can expect medically supervised fasting programmes alongside nutritional therapies, advanced diagnostics, fitness, yoga, meditation and cultural activities. The development forms part of the Buchinger family’s ambition to establish a European network of integrative medicine destinations.

Meanwhile, in May 2026, Buchinger Wilhelmi Marbella unveiled Casa La Mariposa, the former private residence of Maria Buchinger, daughter of the founder. Open to guests for the first time, the secluded villa offers a more intimate and personalised wellness experience, with the unusual addition of welcoming accompanying children and dogs.

Accommodating up to four guests undertaking the Buchinger programme, alongside family members or friends, the residence offers a heated swimming pool, garden sauna, private gym, treatment rooms, yoga and Pilates studio, and meditation garden. Guests can choose between therapeutic fasting and a regenerative dietary programme while retaining access to the clinic's full medical expertise and facilities.

As Katharina Rohrer-Zaiser, Managing Director of Buchinger Wilhelmi Marbella, explains, the opening allows the family to share a deeply personal part of its history while responding to growing demand for privacy and flexibility.

Having welcomed around 7,000 guests from over 60 countries, Buchinger Wilhelmi continues to evolve while remaining faithful to its founding philosophy: that investing in our health is perhaps the greatest luxury of all.