The Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands are a quartier of Cannes at sea: two large islands and three islets off the Pointe Croisette, separating the Golfe de La Napoule from the Golfe-Juan. Sainte-Marguerite, the larger and nearer – its fort is 1.3 kilometres from the cape – is known for the Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask is said to have been held; the fort now houses the Musée du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal.

Saint-Honorat, smaller and further out, belongs to its monastery. Honorat of Arles founded it around 400–410, and the abbey of Lérins became one of the great sites of Christendom; Cistercian monks live there today.