Côte d'Azur Excursions

Ile St Honorat & Ile St Marguerite

The two islands of Lerins - Ile St Marguerite and Ile St Honorat lie within a 20-minute boat ride from Cannes. Ile St Honorat is a tiny forested island, the smallest and most southern of the Iles de Lerins. It has been the site of a monastery since the 5th century and today the Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants on the island. Much of the monastery is surprisingly modern, with the exception of the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks organise tours of the island and try to sell their produce to tourists including homemade wine, honey and lavender oil. The monastery also welcomes visitors for week-long retreats. On the neighbouring Ile St Marguerite is the fortress where the man in the 'iron mask' was imprisoned.

Telephone: (04) 9299 5400 or 9298 7138 (boat trips); Transport: Boats run daily to the island; Opening time: 8am to 6pm (summer); 8am to 5pm (winter); Admission: €8