Abbaye de Lérins

The abbey's origins date back to the 5th century, when Honoratus of Arles founded a monastery on the then uninhabited island around 400/410. The community quickly developed into a center of Western monasticism. The monastery was repeatedly subjected to attacks, particularly by Saracens and pirates, leading to destruction and the death of numerous monks. Between the 11th and 14th centuries, fortified towers were built for protection. In 1787, the monastery was dissolved due to the small number of monks, and the island became state property during the Revolution. It was not until 1859 that the Bishop of Fréjus repurchased the island to revive the monastery. Ten years later, a Cistercian community was established, which still lives there today and shapes the current buildings.

Lérins Abbey is situated on the island of Saint-Honorat in the Alpes-Maritimes, a region belonging to Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur in France. It is located at an elevation of approximately 13 meters above sea level.