Marseille Attractions

Château d'If

On the sparsely vegetated island of If is the infamous prison, Château d'If, which is best known as the penal setting for Alexandre Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo. François I built the fortress here to defend Marseille and its port in the 16th century, and the site later housed a state prison. The cells are horribly well preserved; carvings by Huguenot prisoners can still be seen inside some of the cells. The views back towards Marseille and the mountains beyond are wonderful.

Telephone: (0)4 9159 0230; Transport: Boats for If leave hourly from the Quai des Belges, on the Vieux Port, between 9am and 6pm; Opening time: Daily; 9.30am to 5.30pm (October to March), 9.30am to 6.30pm (April to September); Admission: Castle and Island: €4 (adults), concessions available