Discover Cannes and Lérins Islands

A must-see for a stay on the French Riviera, the Lérins islands (archipelago composed of five islands) contain an exceptional natural and cultural heritage. Perfect place for a getaway in the countryside, for families, couples or groups of friends. You can visit the two main islands: Saint Honorat and Sainte Marguerite.

Saint Honorat island

On the Saint Honorat island, the smallest of the two islands, you can discover the abbey, vestige of a rich historical heritage, high place of Christian history. The abbey of Saint Honorat, founded in the 5th century, owes its name to the Cistercian monk Honorat. It contains more than 16 centuries of monastic life.

Sainte Marguerite island

Sainte Marguerite is the perfect place to mix culture and relaxation. You can enjoy its crystal-clear water and beaches. But also admire more than 130 species of birds, and plenty of butterflies. In fact, Sainte Marguerite, classified Znieff and Natura 2000 site has a great diversity of fauna and flora. The rocky island of 210 hectares offers more than 20 km of trails in the heart of its botanical garden. The state forest, mainly made up of pine and gumtrees, covers more than half of the island. Saint Marguerite is dominated by the royal fort, classified as a historical monument. It was reinforced by Vauban then became a state prison which became, after the revolution, a military prison. Today, the fort host two museums. According to legend, his name was given by Honorat, to the island, in homage to his sister. Only 20 people live there all year long.

If you want to go to the Lérins islands, and visit the archipelago, boat crossings departing from the port of Cannes are carried out daily between 8 am and 4.30 pm. The price is about 15€ per person (round trip), free for children under 5 years old. For more information, visit the website of the Cannes tourist office.