Explore Château d'If, a famous fortress in the midst of the Marseille Harbour and the legendary prison from The Count of Monte Cristo in the novel by Alexandre Dumas ! François the 1st ordained the construction in 1529 in order to protect the French coast, to cover the exits and the berthage of the royal galley fleets as well as to look over Marseille. Since 1580 and during nearly 300 years, political opponents were imprisoned in Château d'If : protestants, republicans, etc. French writer and revolutionary Mirabeau is one of the many well-known figures that were held prisoner in the fortress. Preserved in it's original environment, the Château d'If was also mentioned in literature : the fortress makes an appearance as the prison of legendary Edmond Dantès, the hero of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. You will also see a permanent exhibit dedicated to this famous novel.
Liven up your holidays!
