You will soon come to Marseille and want to visit the Château d’If? Here is the main thing to know about the Château d’If, a mythical and world-famous fortress!
Located on the island of If in the archipelago Frioul , in the center of the rade Marseille , the Château d’If is a French fortress built between 1527 and 1529 on the orders of the famous king François 1 . During his 400 years of official use, from 1580 until 1871, he served mainly as a state prison. The fortress became famous with Alexander Dumas’ novel: The Count of Monte-Cristo . Thanks to the renowned masterpiece of Dumas, he is one of the most visited sites in the city of Marseille, with nearly 100,000 visitors every year!
Would you like to visit the Château d’If? So discover our mini tour guide to learn more about this famous monument and how to visit it easily!
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History of the Château d’If
Photo credit: Flickr – marcovdz
Originally a small island of the rade de Marseille, François 1er built a fortress on the island of If to serve a triple purpose. The first is to protect the coasts of Provence from an invasion: Marseille being at the time “the most beautiful window of the kingdom of France in the North Mediterranean”!
It must also cover the exits and anchorage of the whole new royal fleet, which must protect the crucial maritime routes of the region. And finally, it aims to monitor Marseille, attached to the Kingdom of France 1480.
Most of the building materials came from the headquarters of Marseille by the Spanish in September 1524. Following the plan of a square with sides measuring 28 meters and flanked by 3 cylindrical towers, the Château d’If has a considerable power of fire. Unfortunately, or fortunately, If Castle was never attacked!
During its 400 years of activity, Château d’If was used mainly as a state prison. His first two prisoners were Marseilles fishermen, locked in November 1540. On the ground floor, cells only allowed a life expectancy of 9 months, due to the deplorable conditions of imprisonment. Upstairs, more spacious cells were reserved for fortified or prestigious prisoners. During its history, the fortress welcomed many political prisoners: Protestants promised to the galleys during the Religion Wars and Republicans during the various riots. Several well-known prisoners have passed through this prison, as Mirabeau , figure of the Revolution, or General Kléber The last famous prisoner!
The Château d’If is made world famous by the novel Le Comte de Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas: the hero, Edmond Dantès, is imprisoned in the fortress. The novel meets a huge success and is translated into the world. Twenty-three films are inspired. A cachot on the first floor was even reconstituted for the shooting of one of them!
What to see and what to do at Château d’If?
Photo credit: Flickr – Mat Distef
The Château d’If is today a formidable three-storey square building. The rest of the island is 3 hectares and is strongly defended, with high walls and artillery platforms that surmount the cliffs.
The visit starts with the journey to the fortress. Indeed, to visit the Château d’If, you will need to borrow a sea shuttle from Vieux-Port de Marseille until the islet of If. This boat trip is a perfect opportunity to embrace the view of the fort, the rade of Marseille and thus better grasp the power and strategic importance of the castle!
After you reach the island, you will cross the gates leading to the castle. Once you arrive in the fortress itself, your visit will lead you through the various fortifications of the Château d’If, as well as the innards of the fort. Because it was used mainly as a state prison, you can discover the cells of the prisoners. Those of the famous prisoners are particularly interesting: those of Dantès, Mirabeau, the prisoner with the iron mask and many others.
Finally, visit the Château d’If will offer you access to one of the most beautiful views of the city and its beautiful rade. For at the top of the fortress, a superb panorama awaits you!
The Château d’If guides are also known for their anecdotes, which will allow you to learn more about the history of the city, the military past of France and many other topics related to Château d’If.
How to visit the Château d’If?
To visit the Château d’If, you will need to use a sea shuttle to access the islet. Here are the three companies offering the route:
• Frioul-If-Express • Cruises Marseille Calanques • Icard Maritime: note that the latter offers more frequent trips than the other two, usually a departure and a return every hour between 10H15 and 16H15. The times and rates are detailed on the companies' sites. Shuttle departures also depend on the weather.
The departures of these shuttles take place from the Old Port of Marseille. The latter is accessible:
- By metro: the closest stop is “ Vieux-Port – Hôtel de Ville”
- By bus: the buses that go to the Old Port are number 41, 57, 61, 80, 81, 518, 521, 540. Get off at the "Canebière Vieux Port" stop
Also, to help you better prepare your coming, we have listed some tips/information to visit the Château d’If in due form:
- The site is not accessible to PMR - The film broadcast is subtitled - There are sanitary facilities on the site - You can eat at the restaurant “ Marseille in front”, open from April to October - Guide dogs and assistance are allowed - A touchscreen and visiting document are available in Braille – Consider foreseeing adequate footwear (wrapped enough)
Prices of Château d’If
Photo credit: Flickr – Daniel Kakiuthi
For visit the Château d’If , you can buy your ticket online, on the official site of the fortress or on site, on your arrival by sea shuttle.
RATES
- Adults : 6 €
- 18 – 25 years non-national and/or U.E. resident: 5 €
- Less than 18 years or 18 to 25 years nationals and/or residents of the U.E: free
Good to know. : The free service also applies to persons with disabilities and their assistant, job seekers, with the Culture Card – ICOM Card and the Education Pass.
HORARI
- Dude 2 January to 1 April : Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00 - Dude 2 April to 30 September : every day from 10:00 to 18:00 - Dude 2 October to 31 December : Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:00 to 17:00
Good to know. : The Château d’If is closed on January 1, May 1 and December 25. Hours can also vary depending on the weather of the day.
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