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Key Attractions MusÉe de la Castre The Castre Museum, on the hilltop of Le Suquet, is housed in the former chateau of the monks of the LÉrins Isles and the twelfth-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. Opening hours: Daily except Tues. Jul-Sep 1000-1200 and 1500-1900; Apr-Jun 1000-1200 and 1400-1800; Oct-Mar (closed in Jan) 1000-1200 and 1400-1700. Admission: FFr10 (concessions available). Ile Ste Marguerite It only takes a 15-minute boat ride from Cannes to St Marguerite Island but it took The Man in the Iron Mask eleven years to leave this tiny forested island. The mysterious individual was believed to be of noble blood, but 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 Tel/Fax: (04) 9343 1817 Website: www.cannes-on-line.com Transport: Boat from the Gare Maritime port (FFr50 return). Opening hours: Oct-Mar 1030-1215 and 1415-1630 (Apr-Jun until 1730; Jul-Sep until 1830. Closed Tues). Admission: FFr10 (concessions available). Ile St Honorat 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 eleventh-century monastery on the sea's edge. The monks divide their time between prayer and producing the 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 week-long retreats. The Cistercian monks who inhabit St Honorat run the only boat trips (tel: (04) 9298 7138) to the island. Tel: (04) 9299 5400. Fax: (04) 9299 5401. Website: www.abbayedelerins.com Opening hours (monastery and fortress): Jun-Sep 1000-1230 and 1430-1700. Admission: FFr15. |
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