Lérins Islands Guide: Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat

Sainte-Marguerite — Fortress, Forest and Coves

The larger of the two Lérins Islands lies barely 1,100 metres off the Cannes shoreline and is covered by a protected forest of Aleppo pine and eucalyptus crossed by flat, well-marked paths. A full loop of the coast takes around two hours at an easy pace, with constant views back to the Estérel hills and the bay of Cannes. Above the harbour stands the Fort Royal, rebuilt under Louis XIV by Vauban and famous for the masked prisoner held here from 1687 — the man who inspired Alexandre Dumas. The fort now houses the Musée de la Mer, with Roman and Saracen wrecks recovered from the surrounding seabed. There is one restaurant near the harbour and a few seasonal snack points, so most visitors bring water and a picnic.

Saint-Honorat — The Monks' Island and Its Wines

The smaller island has been a working monastery since the fifth century and is still home to a community of Cistercian monks. It can be walked end to end in about forty minutes, past the fortified tower on the shoreline, the abbey church and chapels scattered among the vines. The monks cultivate roughly eight hectares of Chardonnay, Clairette, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Pinot Noir; their limited-production bottles and the Lérina liqueur are sold mainly at the abbey shop and a handful of restaurants, and tastings can be arranged in advance. Saint-Honorat is a place of silence rather than sightseeing: swimwear and loud groups are discouraged and part of the island is reserved for the monastic community.

Ferries, Timings and Arriving by Private Chauffeur

Boats leave from the Quai Laubeuf terminal, just west of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. Sainte-Marguerite is served roughly every hour with a crossing of about 15 minutes; Saint-Honorat is served by a separate operator with a crossing of around 20 minutes, and the two companies do not share tickets, so seeing both islands in one day means returning to Cannes in between. The last boats leave in the late afternoon and are strictly enforced. Parking around Quai Laubeuf is limited and expensive in season, so many guests book a Mira Azur chauffeur from Nice Airport, Monaco or their hotel: you are dropped at the terminal minutes before departure, luggage stays in the car, and the same driver is waiting when you return.

FAQ

How do you get to the Lérins Islands from Cannes?

Ferries leave from the Quai Laubeuf terminal, a short walk west of the Palais des Festivals. Sainte-Marguerite is about 15 minutes away with departures roughly every hour; Saint-Honorat is served by a separate operator with a crossing of around 20 minutes. Tickets are not interchangeable between the two companies, so plan each island separately.

Can you visit both Lérins Islands in one day?

Yes, but the two islands are run by different ferry operators and there is no direct boat between them, so you return to Cannes in between. A comfortable plan is Sainte-Marguerite in the morning, lunch in Cannes, then Saint-Honorat in the early afternoon, keeping an eye on the last return departure in the late afternoon.

What is there to see on Sainte-Marguerite?

The Fort Royal with the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask and the Musée de la Mer, a protected forest of pine and eucalyptus with flat walking paths, the Étang du Batéguier birdwatching lagoon, and a string of small pebble coves along the southern shore that stay quiet even in high season.

Can you buy Lérins Abbey wine on Saint-Honorat?

Yes. The Cistercian monks farm about eight hectares of vines and sell their limited-production wines and the Lérina liqueur at the abbey shop on the island. Production is small and bottles are rarely found elsewhere; tastings can be booked in advance.

Is there a restaurant on the islands?

Sainte-Marguerite has a restaurant near the harbour plus seasonal snack points, and Saint-Honorat has La Tonnelle, serving Provençal dishes under the pines and booking out quickly at weekends. Outside those, there are no shops, so bring water and supplies.

How long does a day trip to the Lérins Islands take?

Allow three to four hours for one island including the crossing, or a full day for both. With a private chauffeur collecting you from Nice Airport or your hotel, the transfer to Quai Laubeuf takes around 30 minutes from Nice and about 50 minutes from Monaco.