Chateau d If

Say Chateu d’If and immediately think of the Count of Monte Cristo, his most illustrious “guest”.
A character, moreover, of pure fantasy, born from the pen of Alexandre Dumas. A worldwide success that has received as many as 23 film adaptations!

And it was thanks to literature and cinema that the Castle of If forcefully became part of the collective imagination. Many became passionate about the story of Edmond Dantes, confined to this remote prison in the middle of the sea, before returning to get his revenge.

Today, the boundary between fantasy and reality is really blurred. Suffice it to say that the character who inspired Dumas was his father, imprisoned in 1799 in the Castle of Taranto, in Italy. Fantasy but also reality, because in almost 3 centuries of history, many prisoners were guests of this fortress. Especially the Protestants and Republicans, many of which were held in pitiful conditions or thrown into the sea!

Furthermore, the Castle has also played a key role in the course of history. It was built, in fact, to protect the coast from invasions. To cover the exits and moorings of the brand new fleet of royal galleys and, finally, to control Marseille, annexed to the Kingdom of France in 1480.

The Castle of If today has become a real tourist spot. Impossible not to wish for an excursion in these parts, if you are in Marseille.
The boat trip. The silhouette of the Castle in the middle of the sea that slowly shows itself to the visitor’s eye. The climb…
An absolutely unmissable place.

Photo ©, François Schwarz

PRACTICAL INFO

HOW TO GET

The Chateau d’If is located off the coast of Marseille and can only be reached by sea.
Boarding is located in al Vieux Port (bas de la Cannebière), right near the M1 metro stop.
The bateau Frioul If, Croisières Marseille Calanques and Icard Maritime are the shipping companies that offer connections all year round, 7 days a week.
The return ticket for the boat crossing with “Le Bateau Frioul If” costs €11.10 per person. Upon arrival, you must purchase the entrance ticket to the Castle.

TIMETABLES AND ACCESS

The building is open at the following times:

• From October to March, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:30 to 17:15.
• From April to September, every day from 10:30 to 18:00.

In case of adverse weather conditions the Castle could be closed.

The ground is quite uneven and the pavement can be slippery.
It should also be remembered that the complete route includes the ascent of 150 steps.