"We are in a serious situation": in Cannes, shuttles to the Lérins Islands justify the increase in the price of the crossing

Are the shuttle fares to the Lérins Islands too high? According to some Cannes residents, the answer is yes.

On this Thursday morning, along the Old Port, many people are waiting for the boat to the islands. Among them, few locals. Except for Christelle, sitting with her sister and brother-in-law.

"It's getting more and more expensive, which is a shame for us ," she sighs. "If I go there today, it's only to show Sainte-Marguerite to my loved ones. Before, I went there alone, to enjoy the setting. But the price has become excessive."

Christelle, 59, paid €18.50 for her ticket, while her relatives were able to benefit from the reduced senior rate for those over 65, set at €17. "It's still not cheap," confides her sister, Marianne.

Prices that make you squeak. "It's a rate that's geared toward tourists; it should be different for locals ," agrees Fleur, 36, a Cannes resident. "There should be a more general preferential rate for those who live in the area. But I have the impression that we're paying for inflation, as usual. I know that the Lérins Islands are claiming to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and if this money can be used for that purpose, that's good. Otherwise, we're getting ripped off."

A 20% increase in four years

Why, then, does a ticket to the Lérins Islands now cost 18.50 euros, compared to 18 euros last year or 15.30 euros in 2021, an increase of 20% in four years?

"The costs are getting higher and higher," admits Thierry Arnal, manager of Riviera Lines (Trans Côte d'Azur), which last year carried 240,000 passengers. "Between salaries, utilities, diesel, and various taxes, we are forced to increase the fare."

On a ticket priced at 18.50 euros, excluding charges and salaries, 11% is spent on diesel, and 5 euros corresponds to various taxes. "There is notably the Barnier tax," continues Thierry Arnal. A tax on maritime passengers bound for protected natural areas, which aims to offset the environmental impacts linked to tourist maritime transport in these sensitive areas. "Today, when you count the resources, the ships, the sailors, the ticket managers and the operations managers, you won't get by if you don't increase."

A company in a critical situation

These comments are confirmed by Christiane Taylor, manager of the shipping company Horizon, which also provides shuttles between the mainland and the islands and also offers a fare of 18.50 euros. "Everything is very expensive ," she says. "The cost of fuel, salaries, utilities... Not to mention the smallest part or material that costs an arm and a leg. We have to keep up."

A hellish pace that has literally forced the Lérins Abbey company, Planaria, to... sell one of its boats, despite a price increase in 2024 - 22 euros for 1 adult. "We are in a serious situation," admits the father prior, manager of Planaria. "The sale of the boat, for 2.17 million euros, will allow us to repay a loan and ease our cash flow. We are also implementing a restructuring plan; I hope this will allow us to turn things around."

A complex situation for the companies, which partly explains the increase in fares experienced by users. Here's hoping it doesn't become exponential...