Île Sainte-Marguerite Favorite Tips by Lilasel

Boat Services

Favorite thing: Boat excursions to Sainte-Marguerite island leave from Cannes (30 minutes).
Depart from Gare Maritime, Vieux Port, Cannes.
Summer: depart every 30 mins from 7.30AM until 7 PM. Return: noon, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM, 6PM
Winter: depart 10AM, 11AM, 2PM. Return: noon, 3PM, 4PM, 5PM

Excursions also leave from Antibes, Golfe-Juan, La Napoule and Nice. The island is pedestrian-only; no motor vehicles are allowed.

Beaches

Favorite thing: There are pebble beaches on the island and on summer they are overcrowded.

Fort Royal

Favorite thing: The Fort on Ile Sainte-Marguerite is where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the late 17th century. A favourite theory is that he was the illegitimate brother of Louis 14. Visitors can see the tiny cell that held him for over ten years. Inside the Fort Royal is situated the Sea Museum.

Breathe in the fresh air...

Favorite thing: The island is covered by a lovely forest of Allepo pine and eucalyptus, with wide paths crossing the length and breadth. It offers 156 ha of forests (1ha is 10000 m2). During my walk there I felt my lungs became more clean...

Sainte Marguerite Island is a protected site:

* All vehicules (cars, bikes, ...) are forbiden
* Camping or staying at night is forbiden as making noises.
* Make some fire is strictly prohibited.
* Smoking is not allowed except near the passengers piers and when very close to the sea (on rocks and beaches).

Facts about the island

Favorite thing: Sainte Marguerite island is the largest of the two Lerins Islands. 3200 meters long, 900 meters wide, it offers 156 ha of forests on a global surface of 170 ha.

Only 20 inhabitants live there during winters, and 200 during summers. In summer, more than 5000 visitors come everyday. But it's no night accomodations on the island so you should come back to Cannes. But don't forget the last boat depart from the island at 6pm.
It is possible to have lunches in one of the 3 Sainte Marguerite 's restaurants. Some snacks are also available for picnics. Drinkable water fountains are dispatched on various locations of the island. It's very clean and tasty.