A new exhibition at Fort Royal brings together contemporary artists, fishermen, and historians to rediscover the city’s maritime identity.
Proudly commandeering the Bay of Cannes, the fortress walls of Fort Royal on Île Sainte-Marguerite have witnessed history unfold since the 17th century. Once used as a notorious prison that was considered impossible to escape, the striking military building was repurposed as an exhibition space in the late 20th century, named Museum of the Iron Mask and Fort Royal. Here, a current show, “Aux origines de Cannes – Pêche et autres trésors de la mer“ (At the Origins of Cannes – Fishing and Other Treasures of the Sea) traces the fishing traditions that shaped Cannes long before it became synonymous with film stars and luxury yachts – a world where dawn meant heading out to a hard day’s work at sea rather than getting ready for red carpets.
Spanning three exhibition halls and the Roman cisterns on the ground floor, the show presents over one hundred artistic works, objects, and archival documents. It’s the fruit of an unusual collaboration between contemporary Italian artist Alberto Storari, French photographer Karl Kugel, and Fabrice Milazzo, a working fisherman and maritime court official who bridges the old world and new.
The exhibition invites visitors to get to know the 500-year-old town through the eyes of those who have lived alongside the sea for generations. Visitors first encounter the daily life of contemporary Cannes fishermen through Kugel’s photo reportage and video documentation. This modern perspective provides context for the historical objects that follow: traditional fishing equipment and maritime artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection.
The focus then shifts to the tools and objects preserved in the museum that show the craft of fishing as it once was, each piece a silent witness to lives shaped by tides and seasons. As visitors continue, the marine world itself takes centre stage. Local 19th-century illustrator Vincent Fossat’s delicate watercolours bring the creatures of the Mediterranean into close view, capturing the elegance and fragility of the underwater realm with every stroke.
The visit culminates in Alberto Storari’s painterly vision of the island of Sainte-Marguerite. During his residency on the island in spring 2025, the Italian artist who now lives in Vienna joined local fishermen on their early morning runs to sea. He features two works that have never shown before: Island, an oil painting on silver leaf that seems to shimmer with the reflection of the sea, and Frame Story, a mixed-media piece on silk paper that captures both the stillness and movement of the coast. Through Storari’s eyes, the island and the sea become more than a place… they become an experience, a moment suspended between water, light, and memory.
Educational programming accompanies the exhibition, including guided tours, art workshops, and thematic events. A catalog featuring works by Storari and Kugel, along with documentary photography taken at sea, provides lasting documentation of the project. For younger visitors, a colouring book titled “Journey in the Mediterranean” offers a playful introduction to the underwater flora and fauna of Cannes Bay.
Heritage preservation is a cornerstone of Mayor David Lisnard’s administration. The exhibition reflects broader efforts to preserve and celebrate Cannes’ cultural identity beyond its glamorous international image. He has repeatedly emphasised his desire to reveal the “true and diverse profile of Cannes” to residents and visitors alike, and this holds particular resonance for him whose own family roots trace back to local fishermen before becoming merchants and builders. “Heritage is about transmission. Heritage initiatives create meaning and forge links between generations across all city neighbourhoods,” he says. A mission that feels especially relevant in this island setting where past and present meet at the water’s edge.
The exhibition forms part of municipal efforts to affirm the city’s maritime roots as a central element of its identity and complements other projects, including the “Village des pêcheurs” at the Vieux-Port, improved infrastructure for fishermen, and advocacy for artisanal, sustainable fishing. Lisnard stresses that such work supports a living culture that deserves recognition.
The choice of venue further underscores this mission and adds historical gravitas to the maritime theme. Built as a strategic military installation, the fortress served as a state prison under the Ancien Régime and later as a military prison. For over two centuries, hundreds of prisoners, from Protestant pastors outlawed after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685) to Napoleon’s Mamelukes and members of Emir Abd el-Kader’s entourage, occupied its cells. Most famously, the mysterious “Man in the Iron Mask” spent eleven years (1687-1698) imprisoned in the main building that now houses the museum.
The fortress’s ground floor Roman cisterns and upper galleries display exceptional archaeological finds from the island’s excavations and surrounding underwater sites, including Roman wall paintings that represent the oldest examples discovered in France.
The juxtaposition of contemporary art with historical artifacts and archaeological treasures creates a dialogue between past and present that illuminates how fishing traditions continue to shape local identity.
“Aux origines de Cannes – Pêche et autres trésors de la mer”
Museum of the Iron Mask and Fort Royal, Île Sainte-Marguerite, Cannes
September 12, 2025 – April 26, 2026
Ferry access from Port Vieux, Cannes
Information: +33 (0)4 97 06 41 41
Practical Information
Ferry transfer from Quai Laubeuf (see website for prices)
Count on a 15-minute uphill walk from the ferry landing to the fort
Museum Opening Hours
- September: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 – 17:45
- October to March: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 – 13:15 and 14:15 – 16:45
- April: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:30 – 13:15 and 14:15 – 17:45
- Closed on 1 and 11 November, 25 December 2025, and 1 January 2026
Admission
Full price: €6.50 / Reduced price (with proof): €3.50. Concessions available
Visitor Information
Mairie de Cannes / Museums dept.
Website: www.cannes.com
Phone: +33 4 89 82 26 26
All photos courtesy Mairie de Cannes; lead image Pêcheurs au port de Cannes, 2025, photographie © Alberto Storari, all other photos as credited
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