Musée du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal

About the museum

The Musée du Masque de fer et du Fort Royal is housed in the Fort Royal on the Île Sainte-Marguerite, off Cannes. It occupies the oldest part of this Vauban-style fort, known as the Vieux Château. This 17th-century building was erected over 1st-century Roman cisterns and a medieval tower, raised around 1860 to serve as a semaphore station. The site is listed as a historic monument.

At the end of the 17th century the fort became a state prison, where the king had opponents imprisoned without trial, Protestants after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and prisoners placed there at the request of their families. The most famous is the Masque de fer, held for eleven years in a cell in the fort. His identity remains unknown. A Huguenot memorial commemorates the pastors imprisoned in the fort.

Founded in 1977 as the Musée de la Mer, the museum has displayed finds from land and underwater excavations since 1978: ceramics, amphorae and glass from the wrecks of La Tradelière and Batéguier, as well as fragments of Roman wall paintings. The fort’s cells are decorated with wall paintings by Jean Le Gac. A seafront terrace hosts temporary photography exhibitions in summer. The museum belongs to the City of Cannes and holds the “Musée de France” label.

Highlights

• Cell of the Masque de fer in the state prison
• Roman cisterns of the Vieux Château
• Underwater archaeology finds (wrecks of La Tradelière and Batéguier)
• Huguenot memorial
• Wall paintings by Jean Le Gac in the cells
• View of the Cannes coastline from the terrace

Permanent exhibitions

• Prisons d’État et cellule du Masque de fer – Visit of the six cells of the state prison built at the end of the 17th century, including the cell of the Masque de fer and the Huguenot memorial.
• Archéologie sous-marine et terrestre – In the Roman cisterns and on the second floor: objects from the Roman and Saracen wrecks of La Tradelière and Batéguier, and fragments of Roman wall paintings.

Founded

1977

Operated by

Ville de Cannes

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of each month from November to March inclusive.

The ticket gives access to the Fort Royal, the permanent exhibition and the temporary exhibition when one is on show. The boat crossing is not included. According to the museum’s price page, free admission (with proof) also applies to job seekers, people with disabilities and their companion, ICOM card holders, teachers with their class and leisure centers.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is housed in a fort; the museum’s page gives no details on the accessibility of the rooms.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available

During school holidays in zone B (except Christmas), workshops are offered for children aged 7 to 13, with the crossing included. Strollers are not allowed in the museum.

Getting there & parking

To reach the museum, take the boat to the Île Sainte-Marguerite (about 15 minutes); the departure point is on Quai Laubeuf. The boat operators are private companies.

Amenities & dining

Bulky luggage, beach gear (buoys, coolers, parasols) and animals are not allowed in the museum.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Two rooms on the second floor (55 m² and 62 m²) with access to a 200 m² terrace can be rented for private events. The terrace is limited to 50 people. The boat transport is extra and no furniture is provided.

Plan your visit