Ile Saint-Honorat, France

Saint-Honorat and Saint-Marguerite islands form the Iles de Lérins archipelago off the bay of Cannes, about a mile off shore from French Riviera town of Cannes. Saint-Honorat is the smallest island. It is about one mile (1.5 km) in length (from east to west) and 0.25 miles (400 m) wide. The Île de Saint-Honorat bears the name of the founder of the monastery of Lérins, Saint Honoratus. For 16 centuries the island has been a place of monastic life serving as a home for the Cistercian monastery. At the height of their power monks owned Cannes, Mougins and Vallauris.

During the Roman Empire the island was uninhabited; Romans called it Lerina. It became known after monk Honoratus settled there in 368 AD to live in solitude as a hermit. However, soon his disciples joined him and formed a monastic community. In 410 AD the Monastery of Lérins was founded on the island and grew into a large enterprise by 427 AD. During the fifth and sixth centuries the monastery became a center of intellectual activity. A number of influential bishops and brilliant ecclesiastical writers lived and studied inside its walls. One of them was Saint Patrick, patron of Ireland, who studied at the monastery in the fifth century. In medieval times, the island became an intensive place of pilgrimage after the writings of monk Raymond Féraud about the life of Honoratus. Starting in the 7th century, the monks adopt the Rule of Saint Benedict rejecting changes introduced to the doctrine by many Benedictine communities.

During centuries of its existence, the island was invaded many times. Raids of early days are attributed to the Saracens. Later on, the island was pillaged by Genoese pirates. Historic documents from 16th century mention for the first time the fortified monastery built to protect community of monks on the island from constant attacks.

In 1635 Spanish captured Saint-Honorat, and the monks were expelled from the island. In 1637 it was retaken by the French and the monks were able to return back. Because of the threat of continuing invasions, most monks gradually moved from the island. In 1787 (during French revolution), the monastery was confiscated, and the island became the property of the state. Since 1791 the Abbey of Saint-Honorat was owned by a famous actress, Mademoiselle de Sainval (Marie Blanche Alziary de Roquefort) of the Comedie Francaise. She settled there, decorating the walls with profane murals that had nothing to do with monastic life. In 1859, the island was bought by the Bishop of Fréjus. Ten years later, a monastic life was re-established on the island and a community of Cistercian monks occupied once again the Monastery of Lérins and Saint-Honorat. Today, the monastery on the island is a home to a couple of dozens or so Cistercian monks.

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Many people associate the Cote d'Azur and French Riviera with glitter and glamour, glitzy hotels, Hollywood stars, large estates, expensive boats and super yachts. Together with these attributes of human civilization come crowds, traffic, noise, night life, gambling - you name it. Yet, just 2.5 miles (4 km) from Cannes (one of the "stars" of the French Riviera ), within 15-minute boat ride there is an oasis of peace and tranquility, solitude and devotion.

If you are interested in history and religion, Île Saint-Honorat is certainly a place for you to visit. For 16 centuries Saint-Honorat Island preserves the life and culture of Cistercian monks whose history intertwines with Saracens' invasions, pirates, Spanish attacks, French Revolution and Napoleon Wars.

However, the island and its monastery can offer many things to all visitors. The island of Saint-Honorat and its Notre Dame de Lerins Abbey are popular tourist attractions. The Abbey is very picturesque - it is a peaceful and secluded place in a setting with palms and oleanders in abundance. There are marked footpaths, benches and picnic tables scattered throughout. But the enchantment of this place and its nature goes far beyond just a beauty of the island and its monastery. No matter who you are, you will appreciate the serenity of this magical place inviting us to think back over our lives, about the good and bad, about the eternity, about love and many other things we forget or ignore with the hustle of everyday existence.

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To Paris by Plane:

To Paris you can get by plane. Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (IATA: CDG, ICAO: LFPG) is one of the world's major aviation centers, as well as the main airport in France. The airport serves as the principal hub for Air France and is a European hub for Delta Air Lines.

From Paris to Nice to Cannes:

By air:
From Paris there is no plane to Cannes. You need to fly to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, NCE, which is the principal port of arrival for passengers to Côte d'Azur. The Nice international airport is a 30-minute drive 3.7 miles (5.9 km) northeast of town Nice. Buses pick up passengers at the airport every 40 minutes during the day and drop them at the Gare Routière, place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Bus fare is €6. Than you can take a train or car to Cannes. It takes 35 minutes by train to get to Cannes from Nice. By car from Nice follow route A8 southwest to Cannes.

By train:
From Paris to Cannes:
Trains from Paris (and the rest of France) arrive frequently throughout the day to Cannes. The TGV from Paris via Marseille reaches Cannes in about 5.5 to 6 hours. The one-way fare from Paris is ranges between €50 to €95

By Car:
From Paris, the journey takes 8 hours via the route A8 motorway; from Monaco and Nice, the same road provides access from the opposite direction.

From Cannes to Île Saint-Honorat:

The boat out of Cannes runs hourly throughout the day, the last one is leaving the island at 5:30 PM. The break is from 12:00 PM to 14:00 PM for lunch. The trip to the island takes about 20 minutes. You can buy tickets in advance at the port especially in high season when spaces in a boat fill up quickly. A round trip ticket is €12 for one adult, €9,50 for groups of more than 10.

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The best time to visit is in April, May and September. Most of the time, the weather is excellent during these months and you will avoid the tourist high season.

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There are no regular hotels on the island. However, it is possible to stay at the Abbey's hotel (closed in November). Such accommodations are arranged on an individual basis. Couples can be accepted as well. Maximum length of stay is one week. The accommodations are reserved for people looking for a place to meditate or pray, or just enjoy the silence. Visitors can participate in the monastic way of life including working, praying, studying and eating with monks. Participation in the liturgical prayers is recommended. It is possible to be guided by a brother, and to receive the sacrament of reconciliation (also known as confession or penance). The best way to reserve a stay at St Honorat is to call the hotelier brother at +33 (0)4 92 99 54 20. Apply two months in advance. At the time of reservation you will pay €12 per person/night. Cancellations with full refund can be done two months in advance.

If you come to the island for day trip, the most convenient place to stay is Cannes - it takes about 20 minutes to get to the island from Cannes. In Cannes, we recommend the following hotels (prices are 2011):

- InterContinental Carlton Cannes (58 La Croisette, Cannes): five-star hotel - rates are from €285 to €500 per room/night. The hotel is located on the Boulevard Croisette, a short walk from the Palais des Festivals, in central Cannes. It has its own private beach. There are 343 rooms in the hotel.

- Hotel Le Cavendish (11 Boulevard Carnot, 06400 Cannes): four star - rates are from €150 to €250 per room/night. Located in central Cannes, Le Cavendish is a 2-minute walk from the Boulevard de la Croisette and the beach. Hotel has 34 rooms.

- Hotel l'Esterel Cannes (15 Rue du 24 Août, 06400 Cannes): two star hotel - rates are from €80 to €90. The location is directly opposite the train station and a 2 minute walk from Rue D'Antibes and 5 minutes from the beach. Hotel has 55 rooms. Research and book hotels in or near Cannes, France

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Sightseeing, walking, bathing and sunbathing. If you stay at the Abbey's hotel, you can participate in the monastic way of life including working, praying, studying and eating with monks.

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It is possible to visit the island and St. Honorat Monastery in just three hours. However, to really enjoy the place and allocate time for swimming or sunbathing you should allocate a day.

Monastery allows a limited number of visitors. The number of visitors is controlled by the number of small ferry boats. In the summer there are only 10 of them.

The Cistercian monks are the only inhabitants on the island. Up to 30 monks reside at the abbey, working in the various vineyards yielding a variety of grapes that are then turned into expensive wines (mostly Chardonnay and Syrah Mourvèdre). A part of the monastery is modern, with the exception of the 11th century monastery ruins on the sea edge.

This "modern" monastery is from the 19th century, but incorporates older buildings from the 11th and 12th centuries. Among them are seven chapels scattered around the island. Today, only two chapels are still standing. They are Chapel of St-Sauveur - an Early Christian smooth-walled round shaped building with almost 33 feet (10 m) in diameter and Chapel de la Trinité, an early medieval cemetery chapel. You can find the remains of a Napoleonic cannon ball oven and a Second World War gun emplacement on the island.

The living quarters of the (modern) monastery cannot be visited, but the abbey church is open to the public. You can come to meditate or take part with the monastic community in some of the liturgical services and the mass. Fortified monastery is also open to public. Visitors are welcome to quietly wonder through the colorful gardens and alleys of the island. The monks organize tours of the island. The monastery shop sells various monastic goods, including wine, rapist beers, Benedictine biscuits, lavender oil and honey produced on the island.

Each summer the Abbey organizes, with the help of the dioceses of Fréjus, Toulon and Nice, open house days (called the Tuesdays of Lérins) of reflection, prayer, meetings and exchanges.

No Smoking - anywhere on the island. No fires are allowed anywhere on the island (so no barbecues, no camping ). No loud noises allowed: no radios, no shouting, etc. No picking flowers or plants allowed. Modest dress is required for visitors.

There is only one cafe on the island. Since your visit can take the whole day, you may consider bringing your own drinks (water) and lunch. There are many nice spots where you can have a picnic - the best way to have lunch on Île Saint-Honorat.

Take with you are wear swimming suits underneath your clothes; the island has beautiful small beaches where you can tan and swim.

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Tags: Abbey of Saint-Honorat; archipelago (5); Bay of Cannes; Beaches and sun (11); Cannes; Chapel de la Trinite; Chapel of St-Sauveur; Cistercian monks; French Riviera; Hideaway and retreat (7); history (31); Ile Saint-Honorat; Iles de Lerins archipelago; Island (8); Jean-Honore Alziary; Mademoiselle de Sainval; Monastery of Lerins; Pilgrimage (14); Religion (18); Religious architecture (17); Ruin (11); Sacred place and sanctuary (20); Saint-Honorat; Saint-Marguerite

Web Sites: Ile St Honorat - Discover the Ile St Honorat, situated off the bay of Cannes, French Riviera

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