ST. LAURENT du VAR, France, Jul 17, 2005/ FW/ --- From the marble sidewalks of Monte Carlo to the teeming metropolis of Cannes and Nice, Ile Saint Honorat stands as a striking contrast with its unpaved road and monastic lifestyle at the luxurious French Riviera.

Home to the Benedictine monks, the island of Saint Honorat is approximately one kilometer long and 500 meters wide and located off the coast of Cannes in an area commonly called the Lerins islands.

It has a long history that began during the 5th century with St. Honoratus, who settled on the little island of Lerina (the island was named after him after his death in 430 A.D.).

Honoratus started the monastic ideal wherein monks lived as hermits and in common: a central structure for the beginners, whereas the more advanced monks could lead the life of hermits in cells grouped round the seven chapels over the island.

It was also during that time that the monastery reached its zenith; its most celebrated monks included Saint Hilaire, successor to Saint Honoratus, Saint Eucherius, Saint Maximus and Saint Faust.

Though the monks live in peace and wanted to be left alone, the turbulent world of the 8th century until the 11th century would not allow them. The continuous destructive raids of the Saracens forced the monks to build fortified monastery.

And yes, Virginia, there are warrior monks! Though to most of us, warrior monks are just part of fantasy movies and video games, the monks at Ile Saint Honorat had to live it during the Dark Ages to protect their home and their lives.

Then the Renaissance came, and life at Ile Saint Honorat became relatively peaceful. But it fell victim to the French revolution and life became topsy-turvy once more as the island was put up for sale and went through several hands until 1859 when it was restored to its current form.

Today, Ile Saint Honorat stands as a port of calm and serenity in the vivacious and trendy lifestyle of the French Riviera. The rich and famous do not go here, though they can see the island from their luxurious yachts.

But the locals love it and use it as a sanctuary for a day. With a ferry going to the island every hour at a very reasonable cost of 5 euros, one can visit the island to enjoy its medieval and almost harsh environs.

There are no motorized vehicles. Everyone has to walk! There are no sandy beaches, except for a tiny one that also doubles as a quay. The water is clear and full of life, yet one has to be careful because of sharp rocks.

It is not a place for the faint of heart; but for those who are brave enough, it is a true sanctuary. One can visit the Trinity Chapel (circa 400 A.D.) and the ruins of the fortified monastery (circa 8th to 11th century).

And for the religious, they can visit the church to say a little prayer. The church bells ring every hour, the only thing that tells time unless you brought your own chronograph.

Though not a place for tourists, there is a small shop that sells the products made by the monks – from religious jewelry to wine made from the vineyards on the island, the profits used to maintain the monastery and provides a living for the monks.

But do not think for one second that it gives the monk a comfortable life. The Benedictines lead a very monastic life.

Between prayers and toiling on the fields without modern machinery to help them, it is like living during the 11th century except that there are tourists and visitors roaming the islands during the day.

An unwritten rule on the island is that one does not speak to a monk if you see one. Some of them have a vow of silence. Most of them had chosen a hermetic life.

And no loud noises please! After all, the island is a working monastery and everyone; except for the monks who live there are guests.

Trinity Chapel built during the 5th century

Fortified monastery built from the 8th to the 11th century

Inside the fortified monastery

Inside the fortified monastery

View of the sea from the fortified monastery

The current monastery

View of the sea from the fortified monastery