World City Guide

Key Attractions

Musée de la Castre (Castre Musuem)
The Castre Museum, on the hilltop of Le Suquet, is housed in the former chateau of the monks of the Lérins Isles and the 12th-century chapel of St Anne. Nineteenth-century paintings by local artists depict images of Cannes under rosy skies, with palm trees, fishing boats and ladies in voluminous skirts. There is also a fascinating collection of 200 musical instruments, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern antiquities and an ethnology display. Guided tours in English are available on request.

Le Suquet
Tel: (04) 9338 5526. Fax: (04) 9338 8150.
Transport: Buses to Hôtel de Ville or main bus station.
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1800 (Apr-May and Sep); Tues-Sun 1000-1300 and 1500-1900 (Jun-Aug); Tues-Sun 1000-1300 and 1400-1700 (Oct-Mar).
Admission: ¬3; concessions available.

Ile Ste Marguerite (St Marguerite Island)
It only takes a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes to get there but it took The Man in the Iron Mask 11 years to leave this tiny, forested island. The mysterious individual was believed to be of noble blood, however, his identity has never been proven. His cell can be visited in the Fort of St Marguerite, now renamed the Musée de la Mer (Museum of the Sea). This museum also houses archaeological discoveries from shipwrecks off the coast of the island, including Roman (first century BC) and Saracen (tenth century AD) ceramics.There is a regular boat service from the mainland. Operators include Estérel Chanteclair (tel: (04) 9339 1182), Horizon 4 (tel: (04) 9298 7136), Maritime Cannoise (tel: (04) 9338 6633) and Trans Côte D’Azur (tel: (04) 9298 7130). Guided tours in English are available in summer.

Musée de la Mer
Ile Ste Marguerite
Tel/Fax: (04) 9343 1817
Website: www.cannes-on-line.com
Transport: Boat from the Gare Maritime port (¬9 return).
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1615 (Oct-Mar); Tues-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1745 (Apr-Sep); Tues-Sun 1030-1315 and 1415-1830 (Jul-Sep).
Admission: ¬3; concessions available.

Ile St Honorat (St Honorat Island)
Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants of the smaller, southern St Honorat Island. Monks have inhabited the island more or less continuously since AD410 and, at the height of their powers, owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris. Medieval vestiges remain in the stark church, which is open to the public, and in the ruins of the 11th-century monastery on the sea’s edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and producing red and white wines La Vendange des Moines, Lérina liqueur, honey, lavender oil and recently launched and very successful Marc Blanc. In summer, when tourist numbers increase, the monks retire to their cloistered monastery, the Abbey of Lérins. Although closed to the general public, the monastery welcomes guests for weeklong retreats. The Cistercian monks who inhabit St Honorat run the only boat trips to the island. Boats depart from Cannes’ main port, at the Jetée Edouard.

Ile St Honorat
Tel (04) 9299 5400 or 9298 7138 (boat trips).
Fax: (04) 9299 5400.
Website: www.abbayedelerins.com
Transport: Boat trip to the island.
Opening hours: Boats run daily 0800-1700 (winter); daily 0800-1800 (summer).
Admission: ¬8.