What is Saint-Honorat Island?
Saint-Honorat is the smallest of the Lérins Islands, off the coast of Cannes. Owned by a community of monks since the 5th century, it is home to an abbey that is still in operation, a fortified monastery facing the sea, and a vineyard tended by the monks. It is an island of silence, free of cars, where life follows the monastic rhythm.
Lérins Abbey: Sixteen Centuries of History
The Abbey of Lérins was founded around 410 by Saint Honoratus. It quickly became one of the most important monastic centers in the West, exerting a wide influence throughout medieval Europe and training many bishops and saints. The community that lives on the island today follows the Cistercian Rule.
The fortified monastery overlooking the sea
The island’s most recognizable landmark is its fortified monastery, a sort of keep standing right on the water’s edge. It was built around the 11th century to protect the monks from Saracen raids and pirates who were then plundering the Mediterranean. You can walk around it and, depending on the time of year, climb to the top for a view of the bay.
The Vineyard and the Monks' Liqueurs
Saint-Honorat is one of the few monasteries that produces its own wine. The monks cultivate a few hectares of vineyards on the island and produce renowned wines as well as Lérina liqueur, which carries on a long tradition. These products, sold on-site and online, support the community.
Visiting Saint-Honorat with Respect
The island is accessible via a dedicated shuttle from Cannes, operated by the abbey. Visitors explore the island on foot at a leisurely pace: it is, above all, a place of prayer and work. Certain areas are reserved for monastic life, and swimming is limited to a few specific areas. People come to Saint-Honorat for the silence, the trails along the sea, and to sample the monks’ products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who lives on Saint-Honorat Island?
A community of Cistercian monks, descendants of the Abbey of Lérins, founded in the 5th century.
Can we visit the abbey?
Yes, you can explore the island and the area around the abbey on foot, while respecting monastic life. The abbey church is open to visitors.
Do monks really make wine?
Yes, they grow grapes on the island and produce Lérina wine and liqueur, which are sold on site.
How do I get to Saint-Honorat?
By the abbey shuttle bus departing from Cannes, or by private boat to combine with a visit to Sainte-Marguerite.
