Liven up your holidays!

The Lérins Islands

Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Alpes-Maritimes

The Lérins Islands - Tourism, holidays & weekends guide in the Alpes-Maritimes
8.7
26

The Lérins Islands offer a peaceful getaway, around thirty minutes from the Croisette and its luxurious buildings. This archipelago emerging from azure waters offers an ideal combination of natural, architectural and gastronomic heritage, anchored in an age-old historical legacy. The smallest of the Lérins Islands is Saint-Honorat, founded in the 5th century by a monastic community and still kept by it today. The monks live in a 16-century-old abbey, a magnificent stone building standing right in the middle of the vineyards. The main activity of this Cistercian community is indeed the production of wine on an 8-hectare estate dotted with thousand-year-old olive trees. Around 30,000 bottles are sold each year, made from varieties such as Chardonnay, Syrah or Clairette. You can spend a day or longer in this enchanting place, where the whispers echo the sound of cicadas, making for a most restful environment.

Not far away, the neighbouring island of Sainte-Marguerite is an ideal place for nature-lovers of all kinds. This virtually uninhabited island has some idyllic, sun-drenched coves forming a craggy outline. In addition, its lands are home to a 150-hectare state-owned forest with a wonderful lake of brackish water. Nestled among the trees, this area is home to a myriad of protected migratory birds, a delight for birdwatchers. Stroll around the estate and breathe in the gorgeous scents of eucalyptus and pine.

A short walk away, lucky residents of Cannes make the most of a very limited number of cabins, forming a total of about twenty dwellings. During your visit to Sainte-Marguerite, don't forget to visit Fort Royal, a former prison that once held one of the most famous prisoners in the works of the French writer Alexandre Dumas: the man in the iron mask. Legend has it that he was the secret twin of Louis XIV: this story is kept alive by the fort's owners, who have opened this legendary cell to visitors.

Additional information
The Lérins Islands

Southwest coast of Île Saint-Honorat (© JE)
Southwest coast of Île Saint-Honorat (© JE)
See photo
Northwest coast of Île Sainte-Marguerite (© JE)
Northwest coast of Île Sainte-Marguerite (© JE)
See photo

Visit ideas nearby

Your holidays
A hotel
A vacation rental
A bed & breakfast
A campsite
A leisure activity
A restaurant
A rental car
A plane ticket
By continuing to browse our site, you are agreeing to the use of cookies to improve your experience and make targeted offers.
Find out more and make settings
Your account