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IF CASTLE

Castle – Château
4.5/5
12 review

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Embarcadère Frioul If Express, 1, quai de la Fraternité, 13001Marseille, France
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2024
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2024

Legendary fortress of famous prisoners on the island of If, considered an exceptional Mediterranean site

Preserved in its environment and its architecture, known internationally thanks to the Count of Monte Cristo, the Château d'If is an exceptional site, built on a small island in the Frioul archipelago, near the islands of Ratonneau and Pomègues. It's hard to believe, but we are still in a district of Marseille. Classified as a historical monument since 1926, it is one of the pride of the city's heritage. King François I visited the islet in 1516 when he stopped in Saint-Maximin. He was attracted by a curiosity that all Provence was talking about at the time: the presence of a rhinoceros on the still virgin islet. The animal, offered by the king of Portugal to the pope, was then stopping off off Marseille. It was while going to see the animal that the King of France realized that the port of Marseille was not sufficiently defended in case of a sea attack. The yew castle project then took shape, indirectly thanks to a rhinoceros. Having become a prison over time, the citadel saw a few celebrities being locked up here. Captain Anselme, state conspirator in 1582; Mirabeau, from September 1774 to April 1775, who was imprisoned on the orders of his father. But it is indeed Alexandre Dumas and his Count of Monte Cristo who built the legend of the castle. A fictitious work that inhabits the thick walls of these cells and thrills visitors from all over the world. The view over Marseille is very beautiful from the walls. Note the presence of cells more posh than others because paying at the time.

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Members' reviews on IF CASTLE

4.5/5
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Visited in february 2024
Une visite vivante
Une visite atypique. Laissez vous emporter dans le temps, avec un conteur, guide du château d'if bénévole qui le fait avec grâce. Il nous livre la magie de l'île mais aussi de Marseille. J'avais fait la visite il y a une dizaine d'années, et j'ai été ravie de retrouver le même guide !
Visited in august 2023
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J'ai opté pour le Comte de Monte Cristo mais...
Le bateau arrive au château d'If assez tôt, mais attention en été il faut réserver la traversée tôt : maximum 10h. A 10h30 vous risquez déjà de ne pas trouver de place. Le château en lui-même n'offre pas d'attraits particuliers, mais les tableaux proposent une jolie description de l'histoire du château incluant évidemment le comte de Monte Cristo. La vue est magnifique.
eilerua
Visited in february 2020
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Magnifique lieu à visiter si vous allez à Marseille. Quand vous arrivez sur l'île, une vue spectaculaire s'offre à vous.
If est constitué de cellules de prison à visiter. On peut y voir la cellule de l'Homme au masque de fer!
fute_168136
Visited in february 2020
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Montecristo
Sur les traces de Dumas, et du conte de montecristo. Très belle balade.
free_women
Visited in november 2019
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chateau riche en histoire et en mystère accessible par les navettes

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