Sainte-Marguerite Island, a jewel near Cannes

Just 20 minutes from Cannes by boat, the Lérins islands offer spectacular scenery. Saint-Honorat, the smaller of the two islands, is home to around twenty Cistercian monks. They cultivate the abbey’s vineyards, where they live all year round.

Sister island Sainte-Marguerite is covered by a 152-hectare forest of Aleppo pines and eucalyptus. It is renowned for its history and its fort, where the famous “Man in the Iron Mask” is said to have been imprisoned.

With its 22km of footpaths, the island of Sainte-Marguerite offers walks with breathtaking views. If you prefer to take your time, opt for the ten-kilometre tour of the island. You’ll have plenty of time to stop off for a swim, lunch in one of the small fishing villages, visit Fort Royal or admire the migratory birds. The island is a haven for biodiversity. Flora and fauna abound, both on land and under the sea.

Add a little pizzazz to your visit by canoeing to the island from Cannes. Accessible in around twenty minutes, it’s an ideal alternative for water sports enthusiasts. You can avoid the crowds and sail at your own pace, as you please.

Find out more about the history of Sainte-Marguerite, and our tips for spending an unforgettable day on the island!

Ile Sainte-Maguerite: a stroll through eucalyptus and umbrella pines!

When you arrive on the island of Sainte-Marguerite, you’ll be overwhelmed by the sight of majestic avenues of eucalyptus, Aleppo pine, umbrella pine, maritime pine and cypress.

The waymarked paths cross the island from one end to the other, offering a botanical and historical discovery of this naturally privileged site.

You’ll be captivated by the freshness and scent of the umbrella pines.

To the north-east of the island of Sainte-Marguerite, the walk takes you to the Convention Battery, a military building erected by General Bonaparte.

The cannonball furnaces inside are listed historic monuments.

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The Étang du Batéguier, a treasure trove of biodiversity!

During your day on the island of Sainte-Marguerite, be sure to make a short stop at the Étang de Batéguier.

This is an ornithological reserve home to several varieties of birds and plants.

From the observatory, you can watch Common Terns, Yellow-legged Gulls and Grey Herons frolic over the central islet.

White stilts and silver plovers in mating plumage are also part of the scenery.

As for the nightingales, they will delight you with their varied repertoire of songs.

Binoculars are recommended for admiring the beauty of this Mediterranean flora!

Ile Sainte-Marguerite : Plongez dans l’Histoire au Fort Royal !

Bâtie par Richelieu, la forteresse du Fort Royal est un monument historique qui guette les allers et venues des bateaux. Véritable joyau du site, sa célébrité naît en devenant une prison d’État et en accueillant le mystérieux Homme au masque de fer, dont l’identité reste inconnue encore aujourd’hui. Désormais reconvertie en musée de la mer, la bâtisse abrite une collection de pièces archéologiques sous-marine et vous offre la possibilité de visiter les anciennes cellules. Des histoires à découvrir, qui enchanteront petits et grands !

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Activités de plein air pour les amoureux de grands espaces !

Pour les sportifs qui veulent passer un peu de temps dans l’eau, les activités proposées par Cannes Jeunesse, telles que le kayak, le paddle, la planche à voile ou le catamaran feront leur bonheur ! Quoi de plus satisfaisant que de nager en eau claire en observant la biodiversité méditerranéenne des fonds marins ? Les six statues de l’artiste Jason de Caires Taylor constituent le premier écomusée sous-marin de France et de Méditerranée vous attendent. Une œuvre artistique qui attache une importance particulière à la préservation de l’environnement. Plongez pour découvrir ces visages poétiques qui rendent hommage au mystérieux Homme au masque de fer !

Île Sainte-Marguerite, the jewel of the Lérins Islands

Access points

Easily accessible by boat from Cannes, Sainte-Marguerite island can be visited all year round. You can start from one of the following points, depending on where you are:

Nice, 1 hour’s drive ;
Saint-Raphaël, 1 hr 10 min;
Port-Fréjus, 1 hr;
Agay, 1 h ;
Mandelieu-la-Napoule or Théoule-sur-Mer, 25 minutes ;
Juan-les-Pins, 25 minutes;
Cannes, 15 minutes.
You can buy your tickets on site or online.

©©PHOTOPQR/NICE MATIN/ABJ ; 18/07/2010. LES ILES DE LERINS. ICI L ETANG DU BATEGUIER 2010/07/19. The "Iles de Lerins" is a small archipelago just off the coast of Cannes and part of the commune of Cannes. The archipelago has the two main islands of Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat and the two micro-islands of Tradelière and St-Féréol. (MaxPPP TagID: maxmatinnews146181.jpg) [Photo via MaxPPP]|PHOTOPQR/NICE MATIN/ABJ

©©PHOTOPQR/NICE MATIN/ERIC DULIERE ; CANNES 18/05/2013 Balade romantique sur l'île Sainte-Marguerite, une des deux îles de Lérins, au large de Cannes Une île où il faut respecter sans condition cette nature méditerranéenne encore préservée avant le grand rush de l'été. La forêt méditerranéenne composée de pins. Sainte Marguerite island, Lerins islands in front of Cannes, south eastern France, pictured in may 2013 (MaxPPP TagID: maxmatinnews246962.jpg) [Photo via MaxPPP]|PHOTOPQR/NICE MATIN/ERIC DULIERE

Île Sainte-Marguerite, the jewel of the Lérins Islands

The possibility of a boat trip

If you just want to enjoy the view of the island, you can hire a boat for the day, with or without a licence. However, take care when sailing, as this area is particularly regulated.

A great place to swim

With a mild climate all year round, the Côte d’Azur is easy to visit in all four seasons. However, in winter, the water temperature does not exceed 10 degrees. Swimming is therefore reserved for the more adventurous. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit in ideal conditions. In July and August, the destination is very popular with tourists, but remains a good alternative to the hustle and bustle of the Côte d’Azur coastline.

Before you set off for the island, it’s a good idea to draw up a programme. There’s so much to see and do on Sainte-Marguerite! Are you a history buff? Then the Fort Royal and the Musée de la Mer are a must for you to learn more about the island. Do you like walking? The island is full of pine and eucalyptus lined footpaths where you’ll find peace and serenity. Do you prefer to relax? Take advantage of the many coves to bask and bathe in the warm Mediterranean waters.

There are plenty of other things to do, such as observing the flora and fauna on land, or under the sea with a snorkelling session.

The history of the island of Sainte-Marguerite

The first traces of civilisation date back to the 6th century BC. At that time, the island was occupied by the Ligurians. This ancient people settled on the shores of the Mediterranean, before the Romans came to dislodge them from their lands. The Romans in turn were driven out as the islands sank several metres into the sea.

Over the centuries, the Lérins islands have seen Romans, Spanish and French soldiers pass through their lands.

There are many legends about the island of Sainte-Marguerite. We’ve chosen to share one of them with you: Honorat d’Arles, the founder of the Lérins abbey, is said to have arrived on these snake- and vermin-infested islands around the year 400. To scare off the undesirables, he is said to have unleashed a tidal wave. He took refuge at the top of a palm tree to avoid the enormous wave. The wave swept away everything in its path, and the legend was the inspiration for the palm on the coat of arms of the town of Cannes.

Another notorious fact: in 1687, the island of Sainte-Marguerite became a state prison. It housed the most famous prisoner in France: the Man in the Iron Mask. His identity was never established. It is still the subject of the wildest rumours.

The town of Cannes now wants to protect the Lérins Islands. It has applied to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The forest is home to numerous animal species. It has exceptional flora. In the sea, posidonia forms aquatic meadows, home to hundreds of different marine species.

What activities are available on Sainte-Marguerite island?

Depending on what you want to do, what you’re in the mood for and what you prefer, you can put together a programme for your visit to the jewel of the Lérins Islands. Whether you’re looking for cultural or sporting activities, or simply want to relax, find out all about our suggestions for your day out on Sainte-Marguerite.

Places to visit

Visiting the island? Discover the places not to be missed:

L’étang du Batéguier: the only saltwater lake on the Alpes-Maritimes coast. From the observation post, you can spot black-headed gulls, seagulls and common terns. With a little patience, you might even spot a great cormorant, kingfisher or grey heron resting in this fabulous bird sanctuary.

Fort Royal: this is, of course, the monument to visit when you come! It was built by Richelieu between 1624 and 1627, then reinforced by the Spanish a few years later. It is, however, famous for having housed the famous man in the iron mask for almost 11 years. During your visit, you can see the prisoner’s cell. The Fort is home to the Musée de la Mer.

The cannonball ovens: scattered all over the island, go in search of them. Built in 1793 under Napoleon Bonaparte, they were used to protect Sainte-Marguerite in the event of an attack by enemy ships. The ovens are still very well preserved and hidden by the island’s lush vegetation.
Take a stroll through the village: discover the small fishermen’s cottages where twenty lucky people are allowed to live all year round. Take the time to sample a local dish, with a breathtaking view over the Bay of Cannes.

What activities are available on the island of Sainte-Marguerite?

Sporting activities

Hike the paths: the 22 km of signposted walks, offer you a moment of plenitude through the pine avenues. Planted in the 19th century by Maurice de Broglie, the eucalyptus forest is thought to be the oldest in Europe. If you prefer a shorter walk, you can take a 10 km circuit around the island.

Canoeing and kayaking: this is the most original way to discover the Lérins islands. Leave from Cannes and reach Sainte-Marguerite in just twenty minutes. Dock on some superb little secluded beaches for a lunch break and enjoy a refreshing swim.

Hire a stand-up paddle: it’s the perfect way to get in some fun exercise. If you’re a beginner, hire an instructor who will be delighted to show you around in complete safety. If you’re already a paddler, hire a board and sail to your heart’s content.

Discover the seabed by snorkelling: simply equip yourself with a mask and snorkel (or even flippers) to observe the seabed. Schools of fish, starfish and sea urchins can all be seen in this open-air pool. Be careful to keep a safe distance from the many motorboats on the site.

Whether you enjoy sport, culture or relaxation, come and spend an unforgettable day on the island of Sainte-Marguerite!

ILE SAINTE-MARGUERITE: A SELECTION OF ACTIVITIES!

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