©Eric BARNABE
The underwater eco-museum
a treasure to be explored on Sainte-Marguerite IslandA project turned
towards man and nature
A magnificent place to repopulate
At the beginning of this crazy project, a small corner of paradise unfortunately deserted by corals and fish. On Sainte-Marguerite Island, just off the chemin de la maison forestière, this remarkable landscape needed to be restored and made sacred. This is how the artist Jason deCaires Taylor came to design the first underwater eco-museum in France and the Mediterranean.
Cannes people… with their heads in the water
Jason deCaires Taylor’s amazing idea? To make 6 statues, each 2 metres high and weighing about 10 tonnes, and to plunge them under 3 to 5 metres of water. A few fathoms from the beach, you come face to face (so to speak) with the moulded faces of real Cannes residents, aged 7 to 78.
A boost for biodiversity
In addition to being original, these sculptures have an ecological objective. Made of specific marine material, they are a refuge of choice for aquatic life. Little by little, algae, shells, corals and fish settle in and bring the place back to life.
In the shoes of an explorer
In search of underwater treasure
With our masks and snorkels, we are true aquatic adventurers. This area, which is delimited and preserved from boat mooring, is a wonderful playground! A little clue to find the 6 sculptures of the underwater eco-museum: they are located at a distance of 84 to 132 metres from the shore. All you have to do is open your eyes wide through the diving masks!
Fantastic sightings
We are lucky, the magnificent clear waters of the Lérins Islands and the fine sand that covers the ground make the search easier. A few fathoms, a glance to the right, to the left… Here is a first sculpture! As if in a dream, it is magical to see this face appear and observe us with its amused eye. It almost seems as if he is congratulating us for having found him. Accessible to all, this underwater eco-museum is a unique experience that fills you with wonder while raising awareness about the protection of the Mediterranean and its ecosystems.
