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Saint-Honorat Island

discover the monks in the middle of the vineyards

This small island in the Lérins archipelago, off Cannes, is full of riches and offers a complete change of scenery. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, calm and spirituality reign here.

Saint-Honorat has been inhabited for several centuries by the monks of the Lérins Abbey who devote themselves to prayer and the production of wine, liqueurs and olive oil.

Come and discover this true haven of peace!

Saint-Honorat

What should you visit on Saint-Honorat Island?

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 monastery, abbey and chapels of Lérins

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.

The cannonball ovens

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.

Wines, oils, liqueurs:

discover the production of the monks on the island

Quality wine production

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.

Vineyard and wine days

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 production of liqueurs

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.

Production of olive oil and lavender

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.

the island of the Cistercian monks

of the Abbey of Lérins

The history of the island

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.

Who is Saint-Honorat?

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.

How to get to the island?

Going to Saint-Honorat Island

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.

 

Where to eat?

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.

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