Located opposite the port of Marseille, Château d'If was one of the most feared and notorious jails in France. An unmissable visit during your trip to the South of France!
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Château d'If.
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Located opposite the port of Marseille, Château d'If was one of the most feared and notorious jails in France. An unmissable visit during your trip to the South of France!
“Those born to wealth, and who have the means of gratifying every wish, know not what is the real happiness of life, just as those who have been tossed on the stormy waters of the ocean on a few frail planks can alone realize the blessings of fair weather.” This phrase brilliantly summarises the setting of The Count of Monte Cristo. Part of Alexandre Dumas' famous novel, starring Edmund Dantès, takes place on one of the most enigmatic fortresses in France: Château d'If.
With your ticket to the castle, you'll be able to explore the old cells that made up one of the most important state prisons in the south of France. However, it was not always used as a prison. It was built between 1524 and 1531 on the orders of King Francis I, who realized that the island was a strategically important location for defending the coastline from sea-based attacks.
Due to this strategic location, from its towers and turrets, you'll be able to enjoy incredible coastal views. From the highest point, you can even see the nearby Frioul archipelago islands.
Not only did the island inspire Dumas, but the prison, Marseille's little Alcatraz, has been the subject of many legends and stories over the years. Its inmates included Protestants in the early 1700s, the captain of the ship that brought the Great Plague to the city in 1720, the famed Count of Mirabeau in 1774, various revolutionary militants in 1848 and 1870, German residents in 1914, and many more... you'll find out all about this and more on your visit. With your ticket, you'll be given an informational leaflet in English so that you don't miss out on any information, but you can also explore at your own leisure.
Due to its location on a small island, the monument’s opening hours are strictly dependent on weather conditions.
In the event of bad weather or strong gusts of Mistral wind (typical of the area), the castle closes its doors for safety reasons. Admission is entirely dependent on sea and wind conditions, which may cause boat transfers to be suspended at any time.
Château d'If opens at the following times:
The final admission will always depend on the departure times of the boats from the port.
Admission is free for children under 18 and young people from the European Union between the ages of 18 and 25 (upon presentation of a valid ID at the ticket office). Admission is also free for everyone on the first Sunday of the month (from January to March and from November to December) and on the third weekend of September.
Admission does not include transportation to the monument. You must board the ferries connecting Marseille’s Vieux Port to the island of If on your own. Please note that if ferry service is suspended due to weather, it will not be possible to access the castle.
