Honoratus founded a monastery on this island off Cannes around 400-410, making it one of the oldest monastic sites in the West. The island holds a fortified tower-monastery of the 11th to 15th centuries, a 19th-century abbey with a 12th-century cloister, and seven chapels. The monks own the island.
What it needs
The living monastery is leaking: the priorities set in September 2025 are waterproofing the 12th-century refectory, the adjoining buildings and the gallery along the cemetery, and a cracked cloister pillar. The brothers have already relaid over 100 square meters of waterproofing themselves and had the whole monastery scanned for the architect.
Before you act. Figures date from the abbey's December 2025 update; it has not said how much of the €300,000 has since come in.
The Définitoire was damaged by fire in the 19th century, is largely disused and is described by the Fondation du patrimoine as in a state of peril; walls and roof come first. Once saved it is to house a study and research center holding the archives of the order, plus exhibition space. Works began in March 2025 and the donation drive is under half way to its target.
On the morning of 2 November 2025 a fire gutted the main building, leaving only walls and a few vaults and destroying the original timber roof and painted beams. The owners first need to protect the exposed masonry, then rebuild frame and roof. Insurance is capped, so the Fondation du patrimoine opened an emergency collection.
