Ile Sainte MargueriteIle Sainte Marguerite
©Ile Sainte Marguerite |©nos Curieux Voyageurs
Wild nature and heritage

Sainte-Marguerite Island

Discover this island paradise!

Off the coast of Cannes, the largest of the Lérins islands is a real treasure. Rich in exceptional flora and fauna, the island of Sainte-Marguerite also has a rich historical heritage. Today, you can still visit its Royal Fort, famous in particular for one of its prisoners, the Man in the Iron Mask.

Sainte-Marguerite

An exceptional,

wild and preserved nature

A natural wonder

The pines and eucalyptus that make up the 152 hectares of state-owned forest (out of the 210 hectares of the island) allow for beautiful shady walks and exceptional views of the mountainous massifs of the hinterland, the Mercantour and also the bay of Cannes.

Discover the exceptional fauna and flora of the island

On Sainte-Marguerite, nature is king and is the object of many activities: discovery of the botanical path, the ornithological reserve classified as a biological reserve since 2002 and the aquariums. An alley of eucalyptus trees dating from the 19th century is also present and admirable on the island.

A heavenly bathing place

With its clear turquoise blue waters, Sainte-Marguerite Island is also a heavenly bathing spot that you should not miss!

ADVICE FROM THE TOURIST OFFICE

Go swimming and discover the statues of Jason deCaires Taylor in the first underwater eco-museum in France and the Mediterranean.

Since January 2021, the statues of the famous British artist Jason deCaires Taylor have been populating the waters a few dozen metres from the shore of Sainte-Marguerite Island.

These sculptures, made of a PH-neutral ecological marine material, are installed in the first underwater eco-museum in France and the Mediterranean.

The six faces are masks representing the Man in the Iron Mask who was imprisoned for eleven years on the island, but they also make reference to the 7th art of which Cannes is one of the representatives.

Everyone will be able to admire them freely by swimming (about a hundred metres from the shore) with a mask and a snorkel.

Dive into the history of the island

Back to the origins

Between two swims, you can also dive into the history of the island. There is no trace of its first occupants, the Ligurians and Romans.

It owes its name to a chapel built on its territory during the first centuries of Christianity by the monks of Lérins.

Discover the legend of Léro, the mascot of Cannes who created Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat islands.

The Iron Mask Museum
and the Royal Fort

A must-see

The Iron Mask and Royal Fort Museum is located within the fort and has an area dedicated to underwater and land biodiversity. You can also visit the old prison cells and the 17th century chapel, walk around the barracks and take a tour of the ramparts to admire the breathtaking view.

The Royal Fort

Historical monument

In 1617 the Duke of Guise decided to build a defensive fortification. The Fort Royal, which has been classified as a historic monument since 1927, welcomes visitors all year round who wish to discover this unique building, which has been the subject of many legends, notably that of the Man in the Iron Mask.

Bicycles are not allowed on the island.
Dogs must be kept on a leash.

Close