Mouillage

Îlot de l'Îlon

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Shelter: N, NE, NW
Seabed: sand
Anchoring: Allowed

Anchorage off the small islet of l'Îlon on the south side of Île Sainte-Marguerite, the largest of the Lérins Islands off Cannes.

Guide

Approach and anchoring

The bottom is largely weed with limited sand, so hold is good only on a clean patch. Shelter from N, NE and NW, exposed to the south and rolly in any south swell. The western point shoals, so boats drawing over 2 metres should approach from the south. The channel between Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat runs to the south-west, watch for traffic and the marked posidonia exclusion zones. Drop in 4 to 8 metres.

Practical

No services on site. Port des Moines on Saint-Honorat lies 0.3 NM to the north and the Sainte-Marguerite jetty 1.1 NM to the north, both with quays used by the passenger ferries from Cannes.

Ashore

Île Sainte-Marguerite is a forested island of Aleppo pine and eucalyptus with a network of signposted paths. The Fort Royal houses the Musée de la Mer and the cell where the Man in the Iron Mask was held from 1687 to 1698. Land by dinghy on a small beach to visit the abbey on Saint-Honorat, where dress covering shoulders and knees is required. The Lérins islands are classified Natura 2000 for their posidonia meadows and coastal flora.

History

The Lérins archipelago has been occupied since Roman times. The Fort Royal on Sainte-Marguerite was fortified under Richelieu and later Vauban, and served as a state prison from the late 17th century.