If you get tired of the hustle and bustle that is Cannes, and you're looking for something a little quieter, a little more serene... something more natural, then a visit to the Lerins Islands is just the ticket...
A short 15 or 30 -minute ferry ride from Cannes (depending on which island you want to visit), the Lerins islands are steeped in history, as well as being a place where you can enjoy nature walks to see many species of birds, as well as a wide variety of plants - including Aleppo pines, eucalyptus, hollyoaks, myrtles, olive trees, and flowers that are native to the islands and the Mediterranean...
For example, check out the Posidonia flowers that grow in the clear turquoise waters and form underwater prairies, providing oxygen, food and shelter for sea creatures and other plant life...
There's an artisan well which mixes sea water with fresh water which is a natural bird reserve. Walk softly and you may catch a glimpse of some of the abundant animal life, which includes pheasants, small dukes, Kestrel falcons, hedgehogs and others...
If you're fascinated by history, start with a visit to the isle of Sainte-Marguerite, which is the larger and closer of the two islands. Both islands were inhabited during ancient times - in fact, traces of a Roman port and Roman baths - dating back to the 4th century BC were discovered on Sainte-Marguerite. The port was part of the regular trade route between Rome and Spain, and the little museum inside offers a glimpse of what life was like through the exhibits which show items found from some of the shipwrecks off the coast.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Sainte-Marguerite is the Fort Royal (just a short, lovely walk from the port). Fort Royal was turned into a prison in the 17th century, and, in addition to housing protestant ministers (who were imprisoned after the Edict of Nantes was revoked), and the famous Algerian leader Abd-al-Kader, Marechal Bazaine -a French general and Marshall of France who surrendered the last organized French army to the Prussians in 1870... and you can visit the prison cell of its most famous prisoner... The Man in the Iron Mask...
Or you can choose to visit the island of Saint-Honorat, for a visit to the Abbey of Lerins, which was founded back in the 6th century. The island belongs to - and is still inhabited by - a community of Cistercian monks, who make a rather excellent wine, as well as their Lerina liqueur that is world famous. You can buy either, as well as other products produced on the island and in the area, in the gift shop.
The monastery offers an unusual look at a fortified monastery, dating back to Medieval times. The monastery keep is one of the few examples still standing in Western Europe. The keep protected the monks from the attacks of marauding pirates for more than 6 centuries! After exploring the keep, kick back and enjoy a glass of wine and enjoy the peace and quiet.
There is no ferry service between islands, so you'll have to choose which one you want to visit. In addition to regular ferry service from Cannes, you cn also catch a ferry from Antibes, Golfe-Juan, La Napoule and Nice. Oh- and both islands are pedestrian only.
The islands are busier during the summer months, especially with people who have their own boats and come to drop anchor around them, but tourists too enjoy the wild, unspoiled beauty. My favorite times to visit are in April, before the Canne Film Festival, or September, when the majority of tourists have gone home.
Still, no matter what time of year you visit, the Lerins Islands are a great place to spend the day, wandering around under the shade of the trees, enjoying the peace and quiet, having a picnic lunch, and soaking up the sea and sun.
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