Why Visit
They are the Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat islands. They are covered with eucalyptus and pine forests. One of the most famous prisoners in history, the Man in the Iron Mask, was incarcerated here.
History
The first traces of human habitation of the islands were located to the north of the île Sainte-Marguerite, in the form of potsherds that date back to the sixth century BC. At that time an important part of the Provence region and the Northern Italy was colonized by the Ligurians, a population of Celtic origins who gave its name to the northern Italian region of Liguria. A characteristic of these barbarians, diffused throughout their territory is the construction of defensive structures, known by their Latin name oppidums, with massive blocks of stone placed in a circle. In addition to their defensive function they also served as a shelter for a small village community.
Pliny the Elder mentions a colony of Ligurians on the archipelago, therefore the first lériens were in fact, Ligurians living in two oppidums one on the île Lerina and one on the site Suquet (which will eventually become the city of Cannes). The community lived by hunting, fishing and gathering. Parallel to the Ligurians, the Greeks who sail the seas between Massalia (Marseille) and Antipolis (Antibes) from the 5th century BC used the smaller second island as a stopover.
Over the centuries the ligurian population charged its rock bastion to a more urbanized settlement with alleys, sewage and a thick wall. The highest houses are of ligurian architecture while the rest present romanizing characteristics from the 100 BC onwards. The change in architecture is explained by the annexation of the region of Narbonne by the Roman Empire in 122 BC. Finally the city was razed to make place for a Roman city, built at the beginning of the first century under the reign of Augustus. The city was expanded in the fourth century.
In the year 410 the area of the French Riviera was hit by a catastrophic earthquake which also caused a tidal wave. The damage done to the city was immense and part of the port was also submerged. The island was deserted by its inhabitants as a result of the disaster and reclaimed by the wild life.
Honorat arrived at Lero after the catastrophe. He creates his monastery and tried to clean the island of the reptiles, snakes and scorpions that had claimed it. He performs a series of miracles, destroying the reptiles and creating a well to provide fresh water to the monastery. The Monastery of Saint-Honorat is founded around 410. It grows rapidly with disciples coming from all over Europe. The islands start to recover quickly and trade is re-established as the monks harvest lavender and honey and also fabricate a liqueur. By 427 the abbey had become a huge monastery.
From the 7th century, the monastery is facing frequent raids, caused by brigands of all backgrounds, including Genoese and Saracen pirates and Spanish fleets. A signalling system is established in the fourteenth century between the fortified tower of the monastery and the tower of Le Suquet to warn of approaching raiders. In May 1400, the island was again sacked by the Genoese pirate Salagerio de Nigro. Provencal forces chased him away and the abbey was henceforth guarded by soldiers that dwelled in the fortified tower.
During the Thirty Years’ War, Spanish forces seized the islands in September 1635 and were driven away in 1637 by Henri de Sourdis. During the reign of King Louis XIV of France, on the island of St.Marguerite one of the most famous prisoners of all time will be incarcerated. The Man in the Iron Mask is incarcerated in September 4, 1687 and will spend 11 years in a cell facing Cannes. The prisoner was transferred in 1698. His identity has never been revealed and remains unknown to this day. In 1706 they islands were seized by the English admiral Sir Cloudesley Shovell with the help of the Savoyard Duke Victor Amadeus II. The French recaptured them and the fort was destroyed in 1706 by orders of King Louis XIV. During the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) they were again briefly occupied by the English in 1746 but were reconquered by the French in 1747.
During the Revolution the royal fort served as a state prison and after the Revolution as a military prison. Marshal Bazaine was incarcerated here for eight months. The bishop of Ghent Maurice was also detained here.
The royal fort now houses the museum of the sea. You can also visit the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask.
Museums - Archeological
There are three museums on the islands. The Maritime Museum has a collection of Roman cisterns and other archaeological finds from the area. Excavations of the island and the sea in the surrounding areas have bestowed relics of 1st century murals, remains of the contents of a roman shipwreck from 1BC and those of a Saracen wreck from the 10th century to the museum. It is also the place where the famous Man in the Iron Mask was held captive during the reign of King Louis XIV.
The Fort Royal was constructed by the Spanish during the Thirty Years War from 1635 to 1637. After they were ousted the French completed it. It is listed as a historical monument since 1927 and today it welcomes visitors within its walls.
The Hall of the Aquarium also invites visitors to discover and learn how to preserve the Mediterranean flora and fauna living around the Lerins Islands.
Beaches
There are several beaches on the island that you can visit, especially in the island of St. Honorat. They are full of pretty little coves for sunbathing or snorkelling.
Religious Monasteries and Churches
The most famous religious site on the island is undoubtedly the Lerin Abbey. It was founded by Saint Honoratus, sometime around the year 410. He came here to live as a hermit but he founded a monastic community. According to tradition, Saint Patrick, patron saint of Ireland also studied here in the fifth century. Monastic life was interrupted on several occasions by raids, mostly attributable to Saracen pirates.
In the eleventh and fourteenth centuries a fortified monastery was built and became a popular destination for pilgrims. In 1859 the island was bought by the Bishop of Fréjus and ten years later, a Cistercian community was founded. It remains there since.
