One place I (sort of) actually visited was the Ile St. Honorat. We approached by water, and I wish could have toured and spent more time. Located just off the coast from Cannes, it is the possession of the Cistercian monastic order. There are several different structures on the island: ruins dating from the 410 AD, when Saint Honoratus established an abbey here, as well as fortifications dating from the 11th century to the 14th centuries. The fortifications were built to protect against the Saracen invasions.
The waterfront castle is really impressive. Here is a better look:
Starting in 1635, when the island was captured by the Spanish, the the monk population dwindled. After the French Revolution, it was taken by the state and sold to an actress, Mademoiselle de Sainval. She spent summers here for 20 years. St. Honorat was bought back by the church in 1859.
Looking back at Cap d'Antibes.Images via Bateau Cannes, klasskleiterp's flickr, and Virtual Tourist (which is fitting, considering...)
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