Opened in January 2021. the Cannes Underwater Ecomuseum is the only underwater museum in France.
The purpose of the ecomuseum is to preserve the marine ecosystem of Cannes. In fact, the rough texture of the statues encourages the colonization of marine fauna and flora, such as algae, corals, shells, fish and mollusks.
The Cannes Underwater Ecomuseum is located 100 meters off the coast of the island of Sainte Marguerite, one of the islands of Lérins. Visiting this original museum requires fins, mask and snorkel. It is the first underwater museum in France and its special feature is that it carries on its ecological commitment to the protection of the Mediterranean Sea.
The ecomuseum “displays,” at a depth of 5 meters, 6 statues representing faces and faces of men and women from Cannes, 4 women and 2 men. Each of these statues is 2 meters high and weighs 10 tons. The works in this ecomuseum, which will be immersed in January 2021, were created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, who is known worldwide for protecting underwater spaces. His works have been placed in different waters, such as the Bahamas or the city of Oslo.
Each statue created by the artist is a refuge for underwater species and an artificial barrier that promotes biodiversity. This design makes the site suitable for underwater life. The rough texture of the statues promotes the colonization of marine fauna and flora. The development of algae, corals, shells, etc. can be observed. In an area forbidden for ships to anchor, the seabed is home to fish and shellfish. In this way, the ecomuseum develops Cannes’ marine ecosystem over time.