How to Spend a Perfect Day in Sainte-Marguerite with Itinerary Map

Sainte-Marguerite Island

Check Point

・Beautiful island that can be reached by ferry from Cannes

・You can have the Cote d’Azur sea all to yourself

・Fortress where the legend of the iron mask remains

【Island description】

It’s one of Lérins islands where we can visit from Cannes. This island is bigger than another island Saint-Honorat and there is an old fortress by the sea. But there is nothing to visit, it is better to have a time with the nature and the Mediterranean. Here, we present a route to go around this island.

【Overall rating】

　★★★☆☆

【Time required】

　2h30

【Budget】

　25 euros

【Fatigue】

　★★★★★

【Map and access to French Riviera】

①Nice: A resort famous for its beautiful sea
②Eze: The Eagle’s Nest Village with its medieval scenery
③Monaco: A small country of celebrities
④Menton: A town famous for lemons
⑤Cannes: A resort famous for its film festival
⑥Sainte-Marguerite Island: An island where the legend of the Iron Mask remains
⑦Saint-Honorat Island: An island where the entire island is the land of a monastery
⑧Antibes: A port town where Picasso also stayed
⑨Saint-Paul-de-Vence: A popular Eagle’s Nest Village
⑩Vence: The smallest cathedral town in France

Check here for area information around Sainte-Marguerite Island ! !

【Contents】

★=Must-see spots

Contents

Access
Itinerary Map
①Ferry terminal
②Royal Fortress of Sainte-Marguerite Island
③Cemetery in Sainte-Marguerite Island
Useful Links for Travel
Other Cities Recommended

Access

You take a ferry from Cannes to visit this island. You can find the ferry terminal in the page of Cannes. Although it is possible to visit from Nice, it takes a long time and if you leave from Cannes, you can also visit this resort city.

Time required : 15 min
Price : 18.50 euros (round trip)

Time table
https://www.trans-cote-azur.com/croisieres/iles-de-lerins-ste-marguerite-bateau-traverse-excursion/

Itinerary Map

Navigation

【Start】
①Ferry terminal

★Turn left to go to Pierre Vouland Route as far as the fortress. It takes 10 minutes by walk.

②Royal Fortress of Sainte-Marguerite Island

★When you leave from the fortress, turn left to go to Batterie Path.

③Cemetery in Sainte-Marguerite Island

★Continue to walk on the circumference of the island to go back to the ferry terminal. There are some beaches for the break on the route. You’ll find a pond at the end of the route. As it takes 1 hour to go back to the ferry terminal, it is better to use some paths which run across the island if you are tired and you don’t much time for the ferry.

【Goal】
Ferry terminal

How to use Google Map

・Click the square mark on the top left of the map to see a list of tourist spots.

・If you open the enlarge button on the top right corner on your smartphone, this model course will be displayed on Google Maps along with its location information.

・You can also quickly return to this map from the table of contents in the sidebar (if using a smartphone, select “Go to table of contents” from the menu at the bottom of the screen).

①Ferry terminal

Débarcadère

★Turn left to go to Pierre Vouland Route as far as the fortress. It takes 10 minutes by walk.

②Royal Fortress of Sainte-Marguerite Island

Fort Royal de l’Île Sainte-Marguerite

Time required: 60 min

Admission fee: 6.50 euros

Opening hour: 10h30 am – 1h15 pm / 2h15 pm – 4h45 pm
(until 5h45 pm between June and September)

Close: Monday, 1/1, 5/1, 11/1, 11/11, 12/25

This fortress was built in the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIII, but was later destroyed during the war with Spain. There is currently a museum on the premises, which displays mainly artifacts found from the ocean floor. Particularly famous is the legend of the Iron Mask, which was born during the time when it was used as a prison. Inside the prison, you can see murals and works using perspective based on the legend. You can also walk on top of the city walls and enjoy views of Nice and the Côte d’Azur.

★When you leave from the fortress, turn left to go to Batterie Path.

③Cemetery in Sainte-Marguerite Island

Cimetière de l’Île Sainte-Marguerite

Time required: 5 min

Admission fee: 0 euro

This is a small graveyard on the island. It’s a nondescript graveyard, but the resting places are French soldiers who died on this island and Muslims who died in captivity. This makes it a rare place where Christians and Muslims sleep in the same place.

【Goal】

Ferry terminal

Useful Links for Travel

【Hotel Reservations】

Expedia

There is a lot of great hotel deals listed, and you can read comments from people from all over the world. You can also book these together with your flight.

Hotels.com

There is also a lot of hotel information here. Another great thing is that many of them offer no cancellation fees.

Booking.com

This world-famous hotel booking site has a huge number of listings, so you can find the hotel you like. If you become a member and stay many times, you can get discounts and get even better deals.

【Flight Reservations】

Expedia

It is a world-famous travel site. It is convenient because you can also purchase domestic air tickets.

【Attractions and Tours】

klook

This is a convenient site where you can book tickets and tours to tourist spots around the world. Be sure to check it out as they sometimes offer discounts.

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