<strong>Îles de Lérins: </strong>Just 15 minutes from Cannes, the tranquil island retreats of Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat feel like a world away.
Îles de Lérins: Just 15 minutes from Cannes, the tranquil island retreats of Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat feel like a world away.
Cannes Office de Tourisme/Kelagopian
<strong>Île Sainte-Marguerite: </strong>The largest of the two main islands of Îles de Lérins, Ile Sainte-Marguerite harbors hidden coves, tidal pools and beaches and is crisscrossed by a network of well-marked walking trails.
Île Sainte-Marguerite: The largest of the two main islands of Îles de Lérins, Ile Sainte-Marguerite harbors hidden coves, tidal pools and beaches and is crisscrossed by a network of well-marked walking trails.
Cannes Office de Tourisme/Kelagopian
<strong>Water sports: </strong>The pristine waters between and around the islands are perfect for a dive or kayaking, outrigger canoeing or stand-up paddleboating.
Water sports: The pristine waters between and around the islands are perfect for a dive or kayaking, outrigger canoeing or stand-up paddleboating.
courtesy Tahitian Adventure
<strong>Île Saint-Honorat: </strong>Just over three quarters of a mile long and less than half a mile wide, tiny Île Saint Honorat is home to the Abbaye de Léhrins, where an order of Cistercian monks live a life of solitude tending acres of vineyards from which they make award-winning wines.
Île Saint-Honorat: Just over three quarters of a mile long and less than half a mile wide, tiny Île Saint Honorat is home to the Abbaye de Léhrins, where an order of Cistercian monks live a life of solitude tending acres of vineyards from which they make award-winning wines.
Cannes Office de Tourisme/Ajuria
<strong>Abbaye de Léhrins: </strong>The 19th-century monastery is closed to tourists, but you can visit the Gothic church and gift shop selling the island wines and other monk-made delights.
Abbaye de Léhrins: The 19th-century monastery is closed to tourists, but you can visit the Gothic church and gift shop selling the island wines and other monk-made delights.
Jennifer Ladonne/CNN
<strong>Divine wine: </strong>The organic wines made by the Cistercian brotherhood have become a big draw for the island.
Divine wine: The organic wines made by the Cistercian brotherhood have become a big draw for the island.
Cannes Office de Tourisme/Kelagopian
<strong>Fortress Honorat: </strong>Built between the 11th and 14th centuries to ward off pirates, Saracen attacks and occupation by Spanish raiders, Honorat's fortress is now a scenic ruin.
Fortress Honorat: Built between the 11th and 14th centuries to ward off pirates, Saracen attacks and occupation by Spanish raiders, Honorat's fortress is now a scenic ruin.
Jennifer Ladonne/CNN
<strong>Fort Royal: </strong>This 17th-century fort was once a jail for France's most famous prisoner, the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask, whose identity has never been confirmed.
Fort Royal: This 17th-century fort was once a jail for France's most famous prisoner, the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask, whose identity has never been confirmed.
Cannes Office de Tourisme/Kelagopian
<strong>Musée de la Mer:</strong> A museum is now housed in the fort, illustrating the island's long history from the Ligurians and Romans to medieval times.
Musée de la Mer: A museum is now housed in the fort, illustrating the island's long history from the Ligurians and Romans to medieval times.
Jennifer Ladonne/CNN