The smallest of the Lérins islands has nothing to envy to Sainte-Marguerite. The calm and spirituality of the island attracts many retreatants every year. However, the quietness of the island does not leave any room for boredom.
The fortified monastery of Lérins, built in 1073 by Aldebert, the abbot of Lérins, has faced many attacks. The building consists of several cloisters and seven chapels dating from different periods. The Abbey of Lérins is also worth a visit.
In addition, two cannonball furnaces built under the orders of General Bonaparte in 1794 are to be discovered. They were an essential defence barrier to prevent enemy ships from reaching the island. Very well preserved, they have been classified as historical monuments since 1908. Today, there are only about ten cannonball furnaces left in France.
Ile Saint Honorat
The twenty or so monks present on the island all year round live mainly from wine production. For several centuries, they have been working on the production of wines that are now renowned. The monks produce more than 30,000 bottles of wine from the 8-hectare vineyard. These are red and white wines from six different grape varieties.
To discover the wines made by the monks on the island, vineyard and wine days are organised every first Friday of the month. During this day, a visit of the vineyard is proposed and a tasting of the Saint-Pierre and Saint-Honorat vintages. The return shuttle ticket is included in the package.
The Cistercian monks have also been working for more than a century on the production of liqueurs, which are also recognised as La Lérina. Each year, they produce around 9,000 bottles of different liqueurs.
In addition to wine and liqueurs, the monks manage the production of quality olive oil. They also maintain the lavender plots to make sachets of Lérins lavender.
All the monks’ production is on sale in the Lérins Abbey shop.
Saint-Honorat is a small island full of charm and calm. The many vineyards that populate the area are tended all year round by the Cistercian monks who have lived there for 1,600 years.
The island belongs to the Abbey of Lérins, which was founded by Saint-Honorat in the year 410.
Saint-Honorat is the subject of many legends. After a trip to the East, he arrived on Lérina (the future island of Saint-Honorat) with his friend Caprais.
Honorat is said to have scared off the snakes that had invaded the island, which was previously uninhabited. Then he is said to have brought in a tidal wave to clean and purify the island, where a stench reigned.
Discover the legend of Léro, the mascot of Cannes who created Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat islands.
The Planaria company run by the monks serves the island from the Laubeuf quay in Cannes.
Planaria Company
Tel : +33 (0)4 92 98 71 38.
On Saint-Honorat, a restaurant and a snack bar located near the pier are only open for lunch and are closed from January to mid February.
La Tonnelle Restaurant Tél : +33 (0)4 92 99 54 08.
As with Sainte-Marguerite Island, there are several picnic areas on the island.
