Lérins Islands

The Lérins islands lie fifteen minutes offshore from Cannes: Sainte-Marguerite, wooded and with the fort where the Man in the Iron Mask was held, and Saint-Honorat, still farmed by Cistercian monks. Neither has cars.

Overview

Sainte-Marguerite’s Fort Royal held the masked prisoner from 1687 to 1698 and his cell is open; the island is otherwise eucalyptus and pine with a coastal path all the way round. Saint-Honorat has a monastery founded around 410 and the monks make wine on eight hectares, sold at the abbey shop. Both islands are national heritage sites and building is prohibited.

Highlights

Take the first boat and walk Sainte-Marguerite’s circuit before the day-trippers spread out. The Musée de la Mer in the fort holds Roman wrecks found offshore. On Saint-Honorat, the fortified monastery on the shore, built against Saracen raids, can be climbed for the view back to the coast.

Overview

Highlights

Location