Museum of the Sea

Ile Sainte-Marguerite
Ile Sainte-Marguerite
Ile Sainte-Marguerite featuring interior views
Museum of the Sea
Ile Sainte-Marguerite


Discover the remains of shipwrecks, encounter beautiful underwater creatures and marvel at Roman artifacts in a museum dedicated to marine archaeology.

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.

Popular places to visit


Top Museum of the Sea Hotel Deals

OKKO Hotels Cannes Centre
OKKO Hotels Cannes Centre
4 out of 5
6 bis, Place de la Gare, Cannes
OKKO Hotels Cannes Centre
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
5 out of 5
10, La Croisette, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d'Albion
Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d'Albion
4 out of 5
38 Rue Des Serbes, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Hôtel Barrière Le Gray d'Albion
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
5 out of 5
58 Boulevard la Croisette, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Hotel Carolina
Hotel Carolina
2 out of 5
35 Rue Hoche, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Hotel Carolina
Staybridge Suites Cannes Centre, an IHG Hotel
Staybridge Suites Cannes Centre, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
14 Rue Edith Cavell, Cannes, Alpes-maritimes
Staybridge Suites Cannes Centre, an IHG Hotel
Eden Hôtel & Spa Cannes
Eden Hôtel & Spa Cannes
4 out of 5
133 Rue D Antibes, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Eden Hôtel & Spa Cannes
L'Esterel
L'Esterel
2 out of 5
15 Rue du 24 Aout, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
L'Esterel
Hotel Splendid Cannes
Hotel Splendid Cannes
4 out of 5
4 Rue Felix Faure, Cote d'Azur, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Hotel Splendid Cannes
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

* Savings based on package bookings compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings not available on all packages. Book Flight + Lodging, save up to 100% of flight price - Savings based on flight + lodging package prices as compared to the price of the same components available for booking separately before all discounts and rewards applied. Your bundled savings cover up to 100% of your flight. Savings vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and travel suppliers. Savings not available on all flight + lodging package bookings.