If you’re planning a Côte d’Azur getaway you absolutely must read this article. I’m going to tell you all about my favorite place in Cannes: the Îles de Lérins. Head for Ile Sainte-Marguerite and Ile Saint-Honorat for an exceptional experience just 10 mins by ferry from the port of Cannes.
Read my complete guide to what to do in Cannes here.
You can also find me on Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest. On Youtube you can find several of my vlogs in Cannes: here, here et here.
For the record, before getting to the heart of the matter, I used to go to the Lérins islands in Cannes when I was little. We’d go there for the day with my parents, brother and sister. We’d have pans bagnats to eat on the spot. That memory is engraved in my mind. So the first time I went to Cannes with my Canadian boyfriend, I wanted to repeat the tradition. Since then, we’ve been going every year, and have our own little spot where we return. With a little pin on our Google map so we can find it every year.
Now that you know everything, let’s get down to business.
What you need to know before visiting the Lérins Islands
- The îles de Lérins archipelago is a jewel of the Mediterranean, comprising 5 islands with 2 main ones. Île Sainte-Marguerite, to the north, and Île Saint-Honorat, to the south. The former is famous for its fort and for potentially housing the Man in the Iron Mask (you can see the tower in old Cannes, which I describe in this article).
- The site is a protected area. Please respect the site. Take all your rubbish back to the mainland.
- On-site dining options are fairly limited, especially out of season. Remember to bring something to eat.
- However, during the high season, you may be lucky enough to see the boat that delivers the pizzas. Yes, you read that right.
- There are fountains on site. But based on my experience, they don’t always work. Remember to take water.
- If you have shoes for walking in water, put them in your bag. The places where you can swim have a lot of stones. It hurts. Get equipped!
- You can’t stay on the island after the last ferry because it’s a nature reserve. Be careful not to miss it.
- If you’re looking for a swim, Île Sainte-Marguerite will be a better option for you.
- You can stay on the island for a day or a few hours, depending on what you’re after.
How do I get to the Lérins Islands?
- The easiest and cheapest way to get to the Lérins islands is by ferry. In 15 minutes you’re on the other side. A return ticket costs €18.
- Please note that the last boats leave Cannes between 5.30pm and 6pm. The last boats return at 6.30pm.
Visit Île Sainte-Marguerite
It’s the island I go to most often. I love this island. It’s also the biggest island in the archipelago. You can just walk through the pine trees. I just love the smell. Listening to the cicadas. Admire the view. Discovering every aspect of the island.
You can find tickets for the boat to Sainte-Marguerite Island here.
Here’s what you can do on Sainte-Marguerite Island.
- Visit the Fort Royal on Île Sainte Marguerite. Inside you’ll find the Iron Mask and Fort Royal Museum. Here you’ll find an area dedicated to underwater and terrestrial biodiversity. You can also visit the former prison cells and chapel, which date back to the 17th century.
- You can also take a tour of the ramparts. It’s very pretty and you’ll have a great view over Cannes.
- If you like to see traces of the past, try your hand at finding the cannonball furnaces on the island. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as some of them blend in beautifully with the landscape.
- Explore the underwater eco-museum. Artist Jason deCaires Taylor has placed 6 statues underwater, in environmentally-friendly materials. Anyone can swim out to see the works of art. Beware: you’ll need a snorkel.
- You can explore the 22 kilometers of trails and find your favorite spot.
- Go snorkeling to admire the beauty of the clear water and the wildlife.
- My favorite: find a little cove, put your stuff down and go for a swim.
- Grab a bite to eat at one of the island’s restaurants. Restaurant La Guérite or l’Escale, for example. Be sure to check the opening times, as they’re not open all year round.
- As you wander around, you’ll come across a number of houses. These are the homes of the island’s few year-round residents. Take the opportunity to visit the little village.
- Look for the Convention Battery and bunkers. The Convention Battery was built during the Spanish occupation of the island in the 17th century. The bunkers were built by the Germans during the Second World War.
Visit Île Saint-Honorat
We continue our exploration of Cannes with the continuation of the Îles de Lérins. A much smaller island. The monks of Lérins Abbey have lived in the fortified monastery for over 1600 years. It’s pretty cool to know that despite the world changing around them, they’ve been able to keep their way of life. They produce wines, liqueurs and olive oil that you can buy.
Tickets for the boat to Ile Saint-Honorat are available here.
- Embark on a tour of Lérins Abbey to learn more about the life of the monks. You can visit the various chapels.
- You can stay overnight at the Abbaye de Lérins for a retreat. Stays must be a minimum of 3 days and may not exceed one week.
- Discover the last two Napoleonic cannonball furnaces. Listed as historic monuments since 1908, they are located on the east and west sides of the island. At the time, they were used to redden cannonballs.
- On the first Friday of every month, you can visit the vineyards and enjoy a tasting of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Honorat cuvés during Vineyard and Wine Days.
- You can also attend one of the masses held on the island of Saint-Honorat.
I hope you have a great time on the Îles de Lérins off Cannes. It really is a little paradise within easy reach of the city.
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