Île Sainte-Marguerite
Fort Royal, the Man in the Iron Mask, and a north shore of sheltered coves facing Cannes.
The larger of the Lérins
Île Sainte-Marguerite is the bigger of the two Lérins islands, a low ridge of Aleppo pine and eucalyptus ringed by coves. Its Fort Royal is famous as the prison of the Man in the Iron Mask, and the walking paths through the forest make it the more active of the pair. For a yacht, the draw is the chain of sheltered anchorages along its northern shore, facing Cannes across the channel.
The water here is shallow and clear, ideal for swimming straight off the boat, and the island's size means you can come ashore for a walk between swims. It is the natural first stop on a Lérins day, twenty minutes from the Bay of Cannes.
Because its anchorages face Cannes, the crossing is among the shortest on the coast — ideal for a half-day or a first outing. Pair it with Saint-Honorat for a full island day, with the Fort Royal walk between swims.