Îles de Lérins archipelagoA treasure of nature and history in the Mediterranean
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Discover the Îles de Lérins:The small islands of Iles de Lérins are just a short boat ride from the hustle and bustle of Cannes, but they offer a completely different lifestyle. There are no cars here, no mopeds. Just crashing waves and birdsong, footpaths through forest and fields, eucalyptus trees and Aleppo pines, small chapels and vineyards - and a single monk on a bike. On the island of Ste-Marguerite, the legendary man in the iron mask was imprisoned in ‘Fort Ste-Marguerite’ from 1687 to 1698; he was moved to the Bastille where he died in 1703. It is said that he had to wear the mask so that no one could see his face. There are many different hypotheses about his identity, including that he was a twin brother of Louis 14th, who could be very dangerous to the position of the Sun King, but there is no proof and who was hiding behind the iron mask remains a mystery to this day. Today, the fort houses a maritime museum that tells about this event and the maritime history, fauna, flora and archaeological finds on the island. Excavations on the coast near the fortress have uncovered mosaics, murals and pottery dating from around the 3rd century BC. St-Honoret is only inhabited by monks and out of respect for their beliefs and daily routines, quiet behaviour and appropriate dress is encouraged. That doesn't mean you can't take a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean from the island's small coves, but the big attraction is the island's vegetation and very important crop. The island has a single path system all the way round the coast, as well as three vertical and one horizontal path. Most of the island's 36 hectares are accessible on foot, but the monastery itself is reserved for the 20 Cistercian monks whose order has owned the island since 1859. 
On the south side of the island stands the fortified castle tower, the Monastère Fortifié, built between the 11th and 14th centuries as a defence against the many conquerors that ravaged the area at the time. You can climb to the top and enjoy the view. The old abbey church, the Abbaye de Lérins, houses the island's 20 Cistercian monks who have dedicated their lives to meditation and the production of wine, colourful liqueurs, lavender essence and honey, which are sold from the small shop at the chapel, the Chapelle St-Pierre. The monks at St-Honoret produce around 40,000 bottles of wine a year. There is access to the church and a small museum with cannonballs, early Christian artefacts, fragments of a 16th century altar, statues, photographs and a model of the monastery. Around the island there are marked benches and picnic spots where you can sit in the shade under the trees and enjoy your lunch. And swim, if that's what you want to do. There is also a very nice restaurant, ‘La Tonnelle’, partly run by the monks, which serves typical Mediterranean dishes. If you like salads, sandwiches, crepes, etc. there is a snack bar right next door where you can sit in the shade. 
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