Learn about the weird and wonderful things you can find underwater in the Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer). This entertaining and informative attraction is located in Fort Royal, a 17th-century prison and fort on the peaceful Île Sainte-Marguerite. Highlights include jail cells in the fort, remnants from ships wrecked in the Mediterranean and ancient pottery salvaged from the sea.
Explore Fort Royal, the home of the Museum of the Sea, which was built in the 17th century. One of the main exhibits in the museum is a replica of the Roman water tanks that show the classical history of the area. Marvel at the way that Roman engineers created reservoirs on the island.
Browse exhibits dedicated to shipwrecks that were found nearby in the waters around the Lérins Islands. Other galleries display ceramics from Roman and Saracen eras that were discovered on dives around the area, as well as fragments of wall paintings. Wander up to the terrace for views of the surrounding area and to see the occasional temporary exhibitions that are hosted here.
Learn more about the ecology of the ocean in the aquarium room. See fish and plants that live in the Mediterranean.
Your ticket to the Museum of the Sea also grants you access to explore the grounds of Fort Royal. Visit the jail cells and learn about the fort’s storied prisoners, such as the Protestant pastors who were held here during France’s religious wars and the daring Marshall Bazaine, the only known successful escapee. Enter the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask, a prisoner whose identity was never revealed, as mandated by King Louis XIV.
Travel to Île Sainte-Marguerite from Cannes or the town of Golfe-Juan. The small island is easy to explore on foot and offers a quiet escape from the lively city. Stroll to the museum in 10 minutes from the harbor where the ship docks.
