The Iron Mask Tower

The Tower of the Iron Mask, in Cannes

The Tower of the Iron Mask is a discreet medieval tower of Le Suquet, a former observation post built in the twelfth century. The Cannes audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this vestige of the fortifications, on the way that leads to the summit of the old town.

The medieval surveillance post of Le Suquet

It is in full ascent, towards the highest point of Le Suquet, that you come across this rather discreet site of interest: the Tower of the Iron Mask. Built in the twelfth century, with the aim of offering a site of observation and surveillance against enemy attacks, it was part of the defensive system that protected the old town and the bay. Like the great Suquet Tower, it testifies to the time when Cannes, a modest market town under the protection of the monks of Lérins, had to guard against the incursions of the pirates and the invaders who came from the sea. Its name evokes the famous legend of the Iron Mask, this mysterious prisoner held not far from there, on the Île Sainte-Marguerite, off Cannes, whose identity remains one of the great enigmas of the history of France. A discreet but history- and mystery-laden vestige, the Tower of the Iron Mask is an interesting stop of the discovery of Le Suquet.

What to see

You admire the discreet medieval tower built in the twelfth century, an observation and surveillance post against enemy attacks, on the way climbing towards the summit of Le Suquet, whose name evokes the famous legend of the Iron Mask, a prisoner held on the Île Sainte-Marguerite off Cannes. The Tower of the Iron Mask is a mystery-laden vestige. It is a stop to be discovered, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Tower of the Iron Mask lies on the way climbing towards the summit of Le Suquet, in Cannes, reachable on foot by a climb. It is an open-air monument, freely visible from the public space. You discover it during the ascent in the old town.

Where does the name of the Tower of the Iron Mask come from in Cannes?

It evokes the famous legend of the Iron Mask, this mysterious prisoner held on the Île Sainte-Marguerite, off Cannes, whose identity remains a great enigma; the tower itself, built in the twelfth century, was an observation and surveillance post.

Where is the Tower of the Iron Mask of Cannes?

On the way climbing towards the summit of Le Suquet, in Cannes, in France.