Île Saint-Honorat, Cannes

Île Saint-Honorat, Cannes

The Île Saint-Honorat is the second largest of the Lérins Islands and home to the Cistercian monks who live in the Lérins Abbey.

The Île Saint-Honorat is the second largest of the Lérins Islands and home to the Cistercian monks who live in the Lérins Abbey. A mile off the shore of Cannes, the 1.5 km long and 0.4 km wide island is a 15 minute boat-ride away, and offers a beautiful spot for quiet contemplation amidst the pines and eucalyptus trees.

The Abbey of Lérins, which was founded here in the 5thcentury, and the 14th century fortified monastery are open to visitors. The current building of the Abbey dates from the 11thcentury. The monastic complex has 2 churches - the St Honorat in the centre, and the Sainte-Marie Church to the north, connected by a room used for funeral functions. To the west are the 11th– 12thcentury cloisters surrounded by the refectory and other buildings of everyday use. Other attractions on the island are 18thcentury cannonball ovens that heated cannonballs for maximum destruction, a World War II gun emplacement, La Trinité Chapel, Saint-Sauveur Chapel which is still being excavated, St Michel Chapel, St Caprais Chapel at the western end of the island, and St Pierre Chapel where several medieval graves have been excavated.

The island is home to lush vineyards, wineries and distilleries, all run by monks. You can pick up wine, lavender oil, Lérina and honey produced on Saint-Honorat in the gift shops.

While the glitzy Film Festival with flashy celebrities and noisy paparazzi is taking place on La Croisette, the Festival of Silence is observed simultaneously on Saint-Honorat.