Lérins Islands
Native name: Îles de Lérins | |
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Geography | |
Location | Mediterranean Sea |
Coordinates | 43°31′03″N 07°02′42″E / 43.51750°N 7.04500°E |
Adjacent to | Bay of Cannes |
Total islands | 5 |
Major islands | Île Sainte-Marguerite, Île Saint-Honorat |
Area | 2.5 km2 (0.97 sq mi) |
Coastline | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
Highest point | Fort of Sainte-Marguerite |
Administration | |
Region | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur |
Department | Alpes-Maritimes |
Commune | Cannes |
Demographics | |
Population | 40 |
Pop. density | 16/km2 (41/sq mi) |
The Lérins Islands (in
The islands are first known to have been inhabited during Roman times.
The Île de Saint-Honorat bears the name of the founder of the
In 1047 the islands were raided by
The Île Sainte-Marguerite held a
In 1707 the Lérins were occupied by the English navy, under the command of
Under the French Revolution, the Île Sainte-Marguerite and the Île Saint-Honorat were renamed the Île Marat and the Île Lepeletier, after secular martyrs.
Île Sainte-Marguerite
Île Sainte-Marguerite (Saint Margaret Island) is about a 15-minute boat ride away from Cannes harbour. The cell of the mysterious 'Man with the Iron Mask' can be visited in the Fort of Sainte-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 and Saracen ceramics. There is a regular boat service from the mainland.
Île Saint-Honorat
Île Saint-Honorat (
See also
- Saint Vincent of Lérins