Château fort ou ancien monastère de Lérins

To make a day of it

Château fort ou ancien monastère de Lérins stands in Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: Middle Ages). Its opening hours and prices have not been verified at the source yet.

On the island of Saint-Honorat, facing Cannes, the fortified monastery of Lérins occupies buildings raised between the 11th and 14th centuries to shield the monks from seaborne raids. The massive tower standing at the water's edge once exchanged light signals with the Suquet tower on the mainland. Visitors encounter the defensive architecture of a monastic community that endured sieges, plundering and occupations from the early Middle Ages onward. The island is reached only by boat from Cannes.

Written from Lérins Abbey

What to know

• The site is reached only by boat from the port of Cannes.
• It is a classified historic monument, protected since 1840.
• Visiting involves walking across the island, with no particular accessibility noted.
• No opening hours or fees are given in our data, so these should be checked before travelling.
• The fortified monastery is still inhabited by a community of monks, which may limit access to some areas.

Practical information

Visit duration

Not verified

Wheelchair access

Not verified

Dogs

Not verified

Parking

Laubeuf parking (access to shuttles to the island) closed from 15 January 2025 for a long period of works; Planaria ticket office and boarding at Quai Saint Pierre

Where this château is

Cannes · Alpes-Maritimes · Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Cannes - Île Saint-Honorat, 06414 Cannes

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directionsView on a map

Château phone number

+33 4 92 99 54 20

CallCopy

The safest check before setting off: today’s hours, guided-tour availability, where to park.

4.7 / 5from 1,386 Google reviews

Heritage status

Listed historic monument (classé)

Mérimée record PA00080693

Period of construction

Middle Ages

Base map © IGN, Géoplateforme

In pictures

Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Mérimée register.

• This entry in Markdown
• Wikidata Q334008
• Mérimée PA00080693
• Official website

Within an hour’s drive

• Château Vallombrosa (Vallombrosa Castle)Cannes · Alpes-Maritimes
• Château du Suquet (Suquet Castle)Cannes · Alpes-Maritimes
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• Château de la Croë (Croë Castle)Antibes · Alpes-Maritimes
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