They are called Saint-Honorat, Sainte-Marguerite, and float, indolently, off the bay of Cannes, looking down on the Croisette and its palaces. These are the Lerins Islands, rich in a rare natural and historical heritage. Another facet of the Côte d'Azur without glamour or glitter and Cannes, the main point of departure to the islands, accessible in about twenty minutes by boat.

 

Saint-Honorat, the smallest, is the domain of Cistercian monks who cultivate vines around their abbey. Sainte-Marguerite, the big sister, preserves its kilometers of forests around a legendary fort, reputed to have sheltered the jail of the prisoner with the iron mask. Both are bordered by creeks with turquoise bottoms that attract many visitors and boaters every summer.

 

With its pine forests under which one walks quietly, admiring the azure and turquoise waters that bathe the coast, the smallest of the Lérins islands is an invitation to calm and meditation.

For those who have not opted for a picnic, the island has only one restaurant: La Tonnelle, located on the north side, not far from the pier. You can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine (gourmet salads, fish, grilled meats and other shellfish...) on a beautiful shaded terrace facing the sea. Also on the menu: wines and liqueurs produced directly on site by the Abbey of Lérins.

 

A biological reserve in the middle of the sea... This is one of the great assets of the largest of the Lérins islands, the gentle Sainte-Marguerite, covered with some 152 hectares of pines and eucalyptus centenarians.

 

About fifteen small beaches of pebbles and mixed sand punctuate the latter. Bathed in turquoise water and sunshine, sometimes shaded by leaning pines, they invite you to laze around, but are very busy in summer.

 

The island offers two restaurants. The restaurant La Guérite is located at the foot of the Royal Fort, on a rocky cove. This emblematic establishment of the island offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine, created by one of the prodigies of Greek gastronomy, Yiannis Kioroglou. A private beach with deckchairs and sea access completes the restaurant. The restaurant L'escale has a friendly atmosphere and an efficient menu with southern accents (fish, meats, pizzas...). 

 

To sum up: The perfect combo for an exceptional getaway, in the heart of an unmissable site in the South of France.

During my escapade in the south of France, I decided to make a stop to visit Grasse! Not knowing the area at all, it was the perfect opportunity to discover the city but also the history of its perfumeries.

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Grasse is a city perched on top of a hill with a magnificent view of the region and the sea.  The old town is colorful and really charming. I invite you to get lost in its alleys, choose a terrace to have a drink in the shade and enjoy the southern atmosphere of the small perfume town.

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Grasse is the city of perfume par excellence in France. We all associate this small southern town with the incredible scent of flowers. The perfume industry in Grasse is not as flourishing as it once was but the biggest names are still here. 

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I couldn't visit Grasse without discovering Fragonard. The sign is omnipresent in the old town. From the perfumery to the interior design store to the art museum, Fragonard is a name you can't miss during your visit. The guided tour of the historic Fragonard factory is a mine of information on old and new production methods. We learn about the different aspects of the production of natural essences essential to the manufacture of perfumes as well as cosmetics. I also particularly loved the Fragonard gift shop with beautiful perfumed products! 

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Be sure to visit Grasse and its wonderful perfumeries if you are on the French Riviera!