Have you ever imagined a getaway just a stone's throw from Cannes? The Lérins Islands are that little corner of paradise nestled between the Esterel massif and the Bay of Cannes. Just 30 minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Croisette and its luxury hotels, you'll feel like you've landed on another planet. The archipelago consists mainly of two islands: Sainte-Marguerite, ideal for nature lovers, and Saint-Honorat, with its unique monastic atmosphere. To discover these gems of the Mediterranean, EDEN CAB takes care of everything with its private hire vehicles and luxury chauffeur-driven vans.

The Lérins Islands: a Cannes marvel

This Mediterranean archipelago in the Alpes-Maritimes It comprises 5 islands, but the two stars are Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat. To complete the picture, there is also the islet of Ilon, the islet of Saint-Ferréol and the Tradelière.

The archipelago covers 2,5 km² with 12 km of coastline. It is part of Cannes And from Sainte-Marguerite, the town is barely 1,3 km from the Croisette. From the islands, you can see the surrounding mountain ranges: the Esterel Massif, the Maures Massif, the Cheiron mountain and even the Mercantour-Argentera massif.

Historically, Sainte-Marguerite was occupied as early as the 6th century BC by the Ligurians, before being driven out by the Romans. The Spanish then used the archipelago as a fortress during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. During the Second World War, the Italians and Germans turned it into a prison, which is now open to the public.

Saint-Honorat, for its part, has a rich monastic history with its abbey founded in the 5th century. Today, the island still houses a monastery where Cistercian monks live and cultivate vines.

Discovering Île Sainte-Marguerite

Are you a nature enthusiast? Then...Sainte-Marguerite Island is perfect for you. Accessible from the ports of the Riviera such as Villefranche sur merThe island is virtually uninhabited, with only about twenty permanent residents. It boasts a 152-hectare national forest of Aleppo pines and the oldest eucalyptus groves in Europe. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy hiking on the 8-km perimeter trail, marked and dotted with information panels about the island's history, flora, and fauna. A true breath of fresh air, perfect for independent exploration.

For birdwatching enthusiasts, the Batéguier pond is a must-see. It teems with migratory and resident birds: herons, egrets, terns, cormorants… Observation points have been set up to admire them without disturbing them.

Lovers of old buildings will undoubtedly make a visit to the famous Fort Royal, this iconic 17th-century monument. It was there that the mysterious Man in the Iron MaskThis anonymous prisoner, whose identity is still debated, can be visited in a silence heavy with history.

Another interesting point: the Maritime Museum which is located within the fort's grounds and which displays marine archaeological remains found off the coast of the island as well as objects from ancient Mediterranean civilizations.

Maritime experience in Sainte-Marguerite

Sainte-Marguerite Island is renowned as an excellent swimming spot in Cannes thanks to its secluded coves. The island boasts numerous small, natural beaches with crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming or snorkeling. Some are tucked away from the main paths, offering a peaceful and intimate setting to relax in the sun or dive into the pristine sea.

Don't hesitate to take your maritime experience even further with a scuba dive in the ecomuseum between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat. There, six cement sculptures representing heads have been submerged at a depth of approximately 5 meters. underwater ecomuseum was created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor and represents a unique work of art on the French Riviera.

Incursion on the Island of Saint-Honorat

Smaller, more intimate, and infinitely quieter than its neighbor, Saint-Honorat Island It is a timeless place, bathed in silence and spirituality. Just south of Sainte-Marguerite, it is separated from it by a narrow arm of the sea.

Inhabited continuously for over 1600 years by Cistercian monks, this peaceful corner of the world is home to one of the oldest working monasteries in Europe. It all began in the 4th century when Saint Honoratus founded a religious community there, attracting scholars, religious figures, and historical leaders. Today, the monks live according to the Rule of Saint Benedict, in silence, prayer, and work.

To preserve the tranquility and spiritual character of the place, access to the island is limited to day visitors. There is no tourist accommodation or motorized vehicles. Here, everything is done on foot, respecting the natural rhythm of the place and the religious community.

The island is distinguished by its well-maintained Mediterranean vegetation, its centuries-old olive trees, its carefully tended vineyards, not to mention its stunning views of the Bay of Cannes and the Esterel mountains.

Monastic life at Saint-Honorat

The historical and spiritual heart of Saint-Honorat is undoubtedly Lérins Abbey, a masterpiece of Cistercian monastic architecture. The current monastery is still inhabited by monks but remains open to visitors for part of the day.

Not far from the cloister, you will be dazzled by the impressive medieval building: the fortified abbey, built between the 11th and 15th centuries to protect the monks from Saracen invasions. This stone structure, standing on the water's edge, offers a spectacular view of the sea and the Cannes coastline.

Saint-Honorat is also renowned for its exceptional monastic wine, produced since the Middle Ages with respect for nature and tradition. The monks cultivate nearly 8 hectares of vines in a unique terroir, bathed in sunshine, sea breezes, and Mediterranean soil.

There you can discover limited-production wines, often organic or produced using sustainable farming practices. Among them are Saint Salonius, Saint Honorat red, and prestigious sweet wines like Lérina. A little anecdote: Lérins wines were served at lunches for heads of state during the G20 summit in Cannes in 2011.

It is possible to taste them in a dedicated area at the entrance to the island, where the bottles are also available for sale.

For an even more immersive experience, you can stay overnight at Saint-Honorat as part of a spiritual retreat. Adults seeking serenity, students preparing for exams, or anyone seeking inner peace are welcome.

How to get to the Lérins Islands?

To join the closest Lérins Islands from Cannes, you can count on the services of EDEN CAB.

• Regular departures from the Port of Cannes

• Private boat or public shuttle option
  
• Duration: approximately 15-20 minutes

• Possibility of organization tailor-made with private driver to the pier. 

• Available vehicles: Mercedes V-Class, luxury sedans Mercedes E Class ou Class S, VIP minibus

• Bilingual driver, local advice, bottled water on board.

The Lérins Islands are a must-see destination for those visiting Cannes and its surrounding areas. A perfect blend of nature, history, and serenity, they appeal to all tastes. With a high-end private transportation service, your visit becomes even more unforgettable. Book your excursion to the Lérins Islands with a private driver in Cannes now.