Staying on the Côte d’Azur and visiting the Lérins Islands

During your next holidays on the Côte d’Azur, and more particularly near Cannes or Antibes, we highly recommend that you visit the Lérins Islands for an unforgettable day or half day trip. The Lérins Islands are situated in the Cannes Bay, only a few minutes by boat from the Festival Palace. The two main Lérins Islands are Saint Honorat Island and Sainte Marguerite Island, the latter is the larger and can be seen from the coast. 

Apart from these two major islands, the Lérins Islands also have two smaller islands. To visit the islands you can use the ferries that leave from Cannes port several times a day. For Saint Honorat Island during the summer season there are departures from Cannes at 8:00, 9:00,10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:30 and 17:30. The return trips are at the sam times from Saint Honorat Island. The ferry costs around €14 for an adult return ticket. There are reductions under certain conditions. So, for your next holiday on the Côte d’Azur, reserve your holiday rental property at Cannes or privately owned holiday rental accommodation at Antibes so you can be close to the Lérins Islands, a place that should not be missed by tourists’ visiting Cannes and Antibes. 

Visit the islands of Saint Honorat and Sainte Marguerite – what to do and see on the Lérins Islands

Saint Honorat Islan

On the island of Saint Honorat is the Lérins Abbey, home to a community of around 20 monks. The monks live on the island all year round and produce lovely wines, oil and other products that can be purchased at the small shop in the Abbey. There is a path around Saint Honorat Island that offers views over the Mediterranean, Estérel Mountain and Sainte Marguerite Island. There are some lovely creeks that are perfect for scuba diving. During your walk you will see monuments and old buildings such as the fortified monastery, several chapels and cannonball warming ovens which helped with the coastal defence. A ferry can take you to Saint Honorat Island in 15 minutes from Cannes, you can reserve online. 

Sainte Marguerite Island

Sainte Marguerite Island is the island that can be seen from Cannes. It is the larger of the two islands and the most visited. Sainte Marguerite Island is mainly owned by the town of Cannes although part of it is privately owned. Close to the island’s landing dock you will see the cabins and restaurants. It should be noted that this island was the place of imprisonment of the Man in the Iron Mask. During your visit to the island you can see the Vauban Fort that was built by Richelieu then reinforced by Vauban. This fort is now home to the Sea Museum and you can visit the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask. Do not miss a visit to the Botanical Gardens with its Lebanese Cedars and fruit trees. The Batéguier Lake is a fragile but attractive place that is home to various migratory birds. Make sure you take your camera as there is a specially equipped observatory from which you can take some lovely photographs. The centre for the National Forestry Office is situated along the alley in the centre. We recommend you choose a day with good weather to visit the island in order to explore all the feature of Sainte Marguerite Island.