The Île Saint-Honorat is the second largest of the Lérins Islands, about a mile off shore from the French Riviera town of Cannes. The Lérins Islands (in french les Îles de Lérins) are a group of four Mediterranean Islands off the French Riviera, near Cannes The French Riviera (Côte d'Azur Occitan: Còsta Azzura) is one of the most famous resort areas in the world extending along the Mediterranean Sea west Cannes (kan in Occitan Canas) is a city in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur The island is approximately 1. 5 kilometers in length (East to West) and 400 meters wide.

Since the fifth century, the island has been home to a community of monks. The 5th century is the period from 401 to 500 in accordance with the Julian calendar in Anno Domini / Common Era. MONK is a Monte Carlo software package for simulating nuclear processes particularly for the purpose of determining the neutron multiplication factor or k-effective

History

Fortified monastery of Abbey Lérins.

Church and monastery of the Lérins Abbey. Picture taken from the fortified monastery.

The island, known to the Romans as Lerina, was uninhabited until Saint Honoratus founded a monastery on it at some time around the year 410. For the 7th century saint see Honoratus of Amiens. Saint Honoratus (ca Events By place Western Roman Empire Alaric I deposes Priscus Attalus as Emperor. According to tradition, Honoratus made his home on the island intending to live as a hermit, but found himself joined by disciples (including Saint Caprais (Caprasius)) who formed a monastic community around him. A hermit (from the Greek ἔρημος erēmos, signifying " Desert " "uninhabited" hence "desert-dweller" adjective "eremitic" In Christianity, the disciples were the students of Jesus during his ministry. Caprasius may refer to Caprasius of Agen, martyr Caprasius of Lérins, hermit Caprasius may refer to Caprasius of Agen, martyr Caprasius of Lérins, hermit This had become "an immense monastery" by 427, according to the contemporary writings of John Cassian. Events By Place Asia Pyongyang is declared the capital of Goguryeo by king Jangsu. Saint John Cassian (ca 360 – 435 ( Latin: Jo(hannes Eremita Cassianus, Joannus Cassianus, or Joannes Massiliensis) John the

The monastery provided three bishops for the See of Arles: Honoratius himself, followed by Hilarius and Cesarius in the fifth and sixth centuries respectively. The former French Catholic Archbishopric of Arles had its episcopal see in the city of Arles, in southern France. Reputedly, Saint Patrick, patron of Ireland, studied at the monastery in the fifth century. Saint Patrick (Patricius Irish: Naomh Pádraig) was a Roman Britain -born Christian Missionary and is the Patron saint

Over the following centuries, monastic life on the island was interrupted on several occasions by raids, mostly attributable to Saracens. Saracen was a term used by Europeans in the Middle Ages for Fatimids at first then later for all who professed the religion of Islam. Around 732, many of the community, including the abbot, Saint Porcarius, were massacred on the island by invaders. For the area code see Area code 732. Events By Place Europe October 10 — Battle of According to tradition, many of the monks escaped, because Porcarius had been warned of the attack by an angel and had sent them to safety. An angel is a Spiritual Supernatural being found in many Religions Although the nature of angels and the tasks given to them vary from tradition to tradition

In medieval times, the island became a very popular place of pilgrimage. In Religion and Spirituality, a pilgrimage is a long journey or Search of great Moral significance This was encouraged by the writings of Raymond Féraud, a monk who composed a mythological life of Honoratus.

In 1635 the island was captured by the Spanish and the monks were expelled. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. They returned from exile in Vallauris two years later, when the island was retaken by the French. Vallauris is a commune in the Alpes-Maritimes department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France

The monastery continued to suffer from Spanish and Genoese attacks. Genoa ( Genova, ˈdʒɛːnova in Italian; Zena in Genoese and Ligurian; Genua in Latin and archaically in English The number of monks dwindled to four and, in the proto-revolutionary climate of the time, the monastery was disestablished in 1787. Year 1787 ( MDCCLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Under the Revolution, the island became the property of the state, and was sold to a wealthy actress, Mademoiselle de Sainval, who lived there for twenty years. The French Revolution (1789–1799 was a period of political and social upheaval in the History of France, during which the French governmental structure previously an

In 1859, the island was bought by the Bishop of Fréjus, who sought to re-establish a religious community there. Year 1859 ( MDCCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Fréjus can also refer to the Fréjus Road Tunnel and the Fréjus Rail Tunnel in the Alps Ten years later, a Cistercian community was established, and has remained there since.

Present

The island retains a monastery, which is home to 30 Cistercian monks, and is a popular tourist attraction offering pleasant woodland surroundings, in common with its neighbour the Île Sainte-Marguerite. The Île Sainte-Marguerite is the largest of the Lérins Islands, about half a mile off shore from the French Riviera town of Cannes. Points of interest include a number of disused chapels erected by monks on the island at different points in history, as well as the remains of a Napoleonic cannon ball oven and a Second World War gun emplacement. Timeline of the Napoleonic eraThe Napoleonic Era is a period in the History of France and Europe World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including

The Abbey of Lérins and the 15th Century fortified monastery are open to visitors, and a monastery shop sells various monastic goods, including wine and honey produced on the island. Lérins Abbey is a Cistercian Monastery on the island of Saint-Honorat, one of the Lérins Islands, on the French Riviera, with The modern monastery is closed to visitors, although it is used as a Christian retreat.

The island is served all year round by a regular commercial ferry service from Cannes. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Modest dress is required for visitors and smoking on the island is not permitted.