Chateau d'If
Taking place on the islet of If in the Frioul archipelago, this fortification was built under the instructions of King François I. Located just opposite Marseille, this historically significant place has served as a backdrop for the legend of the Count of Monte Cristo.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHÂTEAU D'IF
Taking place on the islet of If in the Frioul archipelago, this fortification was built under the instructions of King François I. Indeed, the sovereign, during a visit to Marseille in 1516, discovered the strategic importance of the islet, which is the smallest of the Marseille islands. He decided to build a fortress there to defend the coast from invasion, to monitor the royal galley fleet, and to keep an eye on Marseille.
The Château d’If was not built immediately after the royal requests because the people of Marseille viewed with suspicion this construction intended to surveil them and which symbolized royal power par excellence. Indeed, Marseille was only annexed to the Kingdom of France in 1480. Until then, it was accustomed to protecting itself with its own means and was totally autonomous. Construction thus began in 1528 and was completed in 1531. The fortress therefore stands, protecting the port. It was then considered to be "the most beautiful window of the Kingdom of France in the North Mediterranean." The Château d’If was built with medieval inspirations: it has a keep, 3 towers, high walls, a moat, and a drawbridge. It was designed to accommodate military reinforcements and heavy artillery.
But gradually, moving away from its original purpose, it quickly became a prison.
THE PRISON OF THE CHÂTEAU D'IF
Since 1540, the first prisoners arrived on the island. The prison housed for nearly 400 years all the convicts, thieves, bandits, murderers, and people banished from Marseille. The distribution of prisoners within the fortress was according to each one's status. Thus, the poor were placed in cells on the ground floor, which had no light and were so unsanitary that the life expectancy of the prisoners was 9 months for the most resistant ones!
The wealthier prisoners, on the other hand, were placed in more spacious cells. These had a window and a fireplace, but of course, they had to pay to access these cells, otherwise, they ended up on the ground floor.
The prison of If saw famous prisoners pass through, such as Jean-Baptiste Chataud, who is suspected of being responsible for the Great Plague that struck Marseille in 1720, the Count Mirabeau, the Marquis de Sade, but also the famous Count of Monte Cristo!
In Alexandre Dumas' successful novel, the hero Edmond Dantès is imprisoned in the Château d'If with the Abbé Faria. He manages to escape and then retrieves the treasure hidden on the island of Monte Cristo, whose existence Abbé Faria revealed to him. Over the centuries, prisoners succeeded each other, and the prison welcomed Protestants following the abolition of the Edict of Nantes, revolutionaries, opponents of the ruling power…
Today, you can still see inscriptions on the walls, remnants of the passage of some prisoners.
The last prisoners left the Château d'If in 1914. Then, during World War II, the German army invaded the castle.
Today, you can visit this place full of history and immerse yourself in its fascinating story.
How to visit the Château d'If?
The Château d'If has been classified as a historical monument since 1926 and is now a must-visit place in Marseille with an average of 100,000 visitors each year. The rampart walkway will offer you a breathtaking view of Marseille.
Entry to the Château d'If is payable, with a full rate of €6 and a reduced or group rate of €5. Visiting hours are determined according to the arrival and departure times of the shuttles. The duration of the visit is a minimum of 1 hour, and tours are guided. The rampart walkway offers a spectacular view of the entire city of Marseille.
The Château d'If is open for visits all year round, subject to weather conditions allowing shuttle crossings. It is closed every Monday except between April 2nd and September 30th, when you can visit every day.
Located one nautical mile from the Old Port, the crossing is quick, only 20 minutes, and allows you to take beautiful photos of the bay of Marseille and the Fort du Frioul. You can also grab a bite to eat on Ratonneau Island or in the Old Port of Marseille.
To reach the Château d'If, visitors have three options:
- Take the Frioul-If-Express shuttle
- Marseille Calanques cruises
- Icard Maritime
The Frioul-If-Express maritime shuttles operate 7 days a week to the Frioul archipelago from the Old Port. Remember to buy your ticket online to avoid queues during holidays or in the peak summer season. For schedules or online ticket purchase, click here: http://www.frioul-if-express.com/.
