About Saint-Honorat:
Just a short boat ride from Cannes, the island of Saint-Honorat provides a beautiful glimpse of Catholic history among the palm trees and lush vegetation.
In addition to the Abbey and the Monastery Tower, Saint-Honorat Island has seven chapels on the island: the most well-known being the Chapelle de la Trinité at the Eastern tip of the island.
The fortified monastery or Monastery Tower :
Built in the three periods over more than three centuries. It is made up of numerous parts including its cloisters and chapels.
In the 14th century, this fortress became the central tenet of monastic life, as shown by the transfer of the relics of St-Honorat to the Chapelle Ste Croix in 1391. In the following century, a first cloister was built around the same tower, then a second in 1477. Thus, at the end of the 15th century, the monumental centre of the abbey shifted to this Monastery Tower. From the 17th century, the upper floors were set aside for soldiers who came on the orders of the king to defend the coastline: a garrison hall, chambers and terraces with walkway used as a lookout.
About Lérins Abbey Cistercian monastery:
Lérins Abbey is the mother house of the Cistercian Congregation of the Immaculate Conception (CCIC). For over 150 years they have been growing grapes and producing wine that have gained world-wide recognition, as well as their liqueurs.
Their lives are based on prayer, work, study and hospitality. The church is open to visitors. You can share prayer time with the community throughout the day. You can also experience a moment of reflection or prayer in this silent space or stay a little longer for a stay in their hotel.
Traveling to the Cistercian Abbey in Lerins:
The island is easily reached by boat from Cannes…it is just a short 15-minute boat ride. You can find the schedule and buy tickets here.
Click here for the official website of the Cistercian Abbey in Lerins.
