Sainte-Marguerite Island

Île Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lerin islands off the coast of Cannes, is readily and quickly accessible by boat from the beautiful Riviera resort. While Cannes is famous for its star-studded film festival and promenade (Croisette), it isn't recognized for its harsh natural characteristics. Sainte-Marguerite Island, on the other hand, is a world apart.

The island, which is covered in trees (mainly pine and eucalyptus) and equipped with secluded coves and beaches, provides many chances for swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and historical investigation.

After touring the harbor and swimming in the blue waters of one of the island's beaches, pay a visit to the Fort and old jail, a 17th-century facility that formerly housed the "Man in the Iron Mask," made famous by an eponymous Alexandre Dumas novel and 1998 film starring Leonardo di Caprio. The museum also has artifacts from Roman and Middle Eastern shipwrecks. Explore the island's many beautiful walking routes, which snake through wooded regions and lead to fascinating tiny coves and rocky beaches.

What to do: Cloaked in forests (mostly pine and eucalyptus) and endowed with intimate coves and beaches, the island affords plenty of opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and historical exploration.
After exploring the port and enjoying a dip in the azure waters of one of the island's beaches, visit the Fort and old prison, a 17th-century structure that once held a prisoner known as the "Man in the Iron Mask," made famous by an eponymous Alexandre Dumas novel and 1998 movie starring Leonardo di Caprio. Artifacts from Roman and Middle Eastern shipwrecks are also on display at the museum.

Location: Location of Sainte-Marguerite within Lérins islands
TripAdvisor Rating: 4.5/5