Abbaye de Lérins

A magnificent complex on Île Saint-Honorat, off the coast of Cannes, the Abbaye de Lérins is a stunning example of France’s preserved heritage.

Site History

On Île Saint-Honorat, a magnificent listed and preserved site off the Bay of Cannes, stands a monumental complex comprising an 11th-century fortified monastery, a 19th-century abbey and seven chapels. Included in the very first List of Historic Monuments in 1840, the fortified tower-monastery is emblematic of the site. The abbey consists of a homogeneous complex of buildings ranging from the 11th to the 15th century, characterized by a combination of military architecture and various religious spaces built inside the fortifications. The Congregation of Cistercians of the Immaculate Conception owns the island and the Abbaye de Lérins and is currently overseeing restoration of the site.

About the Project

Abbaye de Lérins is undergoing an extensive restoration to save the unique fortified tower-monastery, an emblematic site in the history of Christianity in the Mediterranean. The restoration is planned in three phases over a two-year period. Initial emergency work and securitization of the enclosed area has been completed. Subsequent work concerned the roof of the main body of the building, as well as the restoration of the enclosure and part of the cloister’s roof. The last phase, to which the FHS grant will apply, concerns the restoration of the southern section of the site, including the fortified tower-monastery and the interiors, improving conditions for visitors and ensuring the site’s continued survival.

Abbaye de Lérins Today

The tower-monastery of Saint-Honorat Island is a place open to the world, due to both its geographic location and its being open to the public. Once restored, the site will be more widely open, offering visitors a chance to learn about the history of the island, the Cistercian monks and the building’s construction. Its increased accessibility, in particular for people with reduced mobility, will give all visitors the opportunity to discover this remarkable site, which encompasses the built, maritime, religious, military and natural heritage of the region.