Abbaye de Lerins

Located on Île Saint-Honorat, off the coast of Cannes, Lérins Abbey is an enclave of absolute peace that seems to float on the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean. Founded in the 5th century by Saint Honorat, it is one of the oldest monastic centers in the West. Even today, a community of Cistercian monks cultivates silence and the land there, offering a striking contrast to the bustle of the nearby French Riviera. The abbey harmoniously blends medieval remains, a 19th-century abbey church, and a fortified monastery standing proudly facing the sea. The highlight of the visit is undoubtedly the fortified monastery, a spectacular keep built between the 11th and 15th centuries to protect the monks from Saracen raids. Climbing to its summit, you'll discover a breathtaking panoramic view of the Lérins Islands archipelago and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps plunging into the sea. Between impeccably aligned vineyards and secluded coves fringed with umbrella pines, the island is best explored on foot, offering a stroll where the scent of iodine mingles with that of lavender and rosemary.