Cannes Maritime Museum Displays Collections from Underwater and Terrestrial Excavations.

Once the entrance ticket is paid, you have access to both the Cannes Maritime Museum and the prison cells in the old Fort Royal, where you can see the cell where the mythical prisoner – the Man in the Iron Mask – allegedly was imprisoned for 11 years.

The Archaeological Collections

The site has been inhabited since ancient times by Celto-Ligurian, Greek, and Roman peoples.

Evidence of this can be found in the ground floor’s vaulted rooms with the ancient Roman cisterns, an ingenious hydraulic system designed to collect rainwater.

Excavations have also brought to light fragments of wall paintings from ancient Roman baths as well as various remains and objects of great value to archaeologists.

Cannes Maritime Museum also has a collection of archaeological remains from various excavations. Several shipwrecks washed up near the Lérins Islands testify to ancient and medieval maritime practices.

The museum displays objects from the wreck of the Roman ship Tradelière with nine different types of amphorae from 100 BC, terracotta porcelain, cups, vases with zoomorphic decoration, and glass goblets.

The Saracen wreck from Bateguier, discovered in 1973 at a depth of 54 meters, contained numerous ceramic works: Jars and handles, cooking vessels, vases, pots, and oil lamps.

A truly unique collection, displayed in exceptional surroundings at Fort Royal.

By Tommy Sverre / 2021