Things to See on Île Sainte-Marguerite
On Île Sainte-Marguerite, don't miss the Fort Royal and its museum, home to the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask, the underwater eco-museum with its six submerged sculptures, the forest of pines and holm oaks, the Batéguier pond and the coves along the south shore. Allow at least half a day.
A 15-minute boat ride from Cannes, Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins Islands. Access to the island is free: only the crossing and admission to the fort cost money. Here's what we show friends and family when they spend the day there.
The Fort Royal and the Man in the Iron Mask Museum
The Fort Royal dominates the north shore, facing the Croisette. Its ramparts tell several centuries of military and prison history, from the Spanish presence to French fortifications. Today the site houses the Musée du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal (Man in the Iron Mask and Fort Royal Museum), run by the City of Cannes.
The cell of the Man in the Iron Mask
This is the room everyone comes to see. The most famous prisoner in French history was held in the island's state prison from 1687 to 1698, before being transferred. His identity has never been established with certainty, and that's the whole appeal of the visit. The museum also features a Huguenot memorial, honoring the Protestant pastors imprisoned here, as well as murals by the artist Jean Le Gac.
Archaeology and views over the bay
The museum is devoted to land and underwater archaeology: Roman cisterns, remains of two shipwrecks and temporary exhibitions. According to the tourist office, an immersive augmented-reality tablet tour is included free with your ticket. Finish on the terrace, which takes in the whole Bay of Cannes.
Opening hours and prices
According to the City of Cannes, the museum is open daily from June to September, 10am to 5:45pm, and Tuesday to Sunday the rest of the year with a lunch break; last entry is 30 minutes before closing. Admission is free for under-18s and students up to age 26 . Pets are not allowed in the museum.
The underwater eco-museum
On January 28, 2021, six monumental sculptures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor were submerged a few dozen meters off the island's south shore. They depict the faces of Cannes residents, sculpted as masks in a nod to the fort's famous prisoner. The statues sit just a few meters deep, in water that's usually clear: a mask and snorkel are all you need.
Access is free all year round. The works are designed to be colonized by marine plants and animals, and they're gradually becoming a refuge for fish. Don't touch them, don't stand on them, and keep your distance from the Posidonia seagrass meadows that surround them.
Practical tip: ask about the exact location at the boat landing or the tourist office, swim with a buddy, and avoid the area in rough seas or when boats are passing.
The forest and trails
The island is covered by 152 hectares of state forest, managed by the French National Forests Office (ONF) and designated a biological reserve. Aleppo pines and holm oaks alternate with scrubland of mastic trees, myrtle and rockrose. A botanical trail introduces this flora.
Wide forest paths cross the island from east to west, letting you walk all the way around it while staying in the shade for much of the way. Allow a few hours for a full loop, more with swim stops . Bikes are banned on the island; dogs are allowed on a leash. In a biological reserve, picking is prohibited: don't take any plants or flowers.
The Batéguier pond
At the western tip of the island, the Batéguier pond mixes seawater with fresh water from an artesian well. It's a bird sanctuary: approach quietly, binoculars in hand, and stay on the paths. Nearby, Batéguier beach is one of the island's most popular stops, with views of the Esterel and Île Saint-Honorat.
Beaches and coves
Sainte-Marguerite's shoreline alternates between small sand or pebble beaches and rocky coves. The north shore, facing Cannes, is closest to the landing stage and therefore the busiest. The south side, facing Saint-Honorat, is quieter. In summer, lots of boats anchor between the two islands: swim close to shore and stay visible.
Bring water shoes for the rocks, plenty of water (refreshment points are few and seasonal), and take your trash back with you.
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Frequently asked questions
How long do you need to visit Île Sainte-Marguerite?
Half a day lets you see the Fort Royal and one cove. To add the forest walk, the Batéguier pond and a swim, plan on a full day. Arrange your crossing with our guide how to get to the Lérins Islands.
Do you have to pay to visit Île Sainte-Marguerite?
No, access to the island is free. Only the boat crossing and admission to the Fort Royal and its museum cost money.
Can you see the Man in the Iron Mask's cell?
Yes, it's part of the tour of the Man in the Iron Mask and Fort Royal Museum. Check the opening hours before you go: the museum is closed on Mondays outside the high season.
Where can you see the underwater eco-museum?
The sculptures lie a few dozen meters off the island's south shore, in shallow water. A mask and snorkel are all you need.
Kayaking with Azurkay
Sainte-Marguerite also reveals itself from the sea. Our 4-hour guided tour leaves from the Palm Beach public parking lot, crosses the channel to Batéguier beach, then paddles past the Fort Royal and its Iron Mask memories before reaching secret coves. Groups of 16 people maximum, led by state-certified instructors . Discover the route in kayaking to the Lérins Islands from Cannes and book on the Lérins Islands tour page.
