Château d'If, a famous castle in southern France. It stands
atop a small limestone island opposite the harbor of Marseille, and its terrace affords a
splendid view of the port.
by Francis I in 1524, the castle was used for several centuries as a state prison. Its inmates
included the regicide Philippe Égalité and the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask imprisoned by
Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo, the two heroes, Edmond Dantès and the Abbé
Faria, are confined in the Château
Chateau d’If Prison
Originally built as a naval fortress, Château d'If was converted to a prison for
the city of Marseilles in 1516, and became infamous for the exclusivity of its guest list.
Common criminals were imprisoned on the mainland, and in the Chateau d’If only important
persons were incarcerated, the celebrated Marquises, Chevaliers and Comptes, as well as a many
Protestants or Huegenots.
cells are small, drafty and dismal, the only view looks inward toward fellow unfortunates and a
tiny cobbled courtyard, its well and stone staircase. The cells are far from uniform, save for
being uniformly grim. Each of the cells in the two-tiered prison is of an oddly-angled
configuration, some with recesses for sleeping, or a fireplace and accoutrements included wall
rings for fastening shackles.
detainees are identified by small fading signboards affixed by the windowless doors of their
former cells. One renowned prisoner was The Man in the Iron Mask, reputed to be Phillippe, twin
brother of King Louis XIV. His suite was in a corner, a vaulted brick tomb with a small
fireplace, a table and chair, a bitter breeze for companionship, and no hope of escape. His
fate was later popularized in a novel by Alexandre Dumas.
also had his fictional character, Edmund Dantes, the Count of Monte Cristo, held in the dungeon
of the chateau for five years before a harrowing escape. One non-fictional unfortunate was a
ship's captain imprisoned when it was determined that his ship was responsible for bringing the
plague to Marseilles, wiping out half the population. Another noble was sentenced to six years
in the chateau for failing to doff his hat when the king passed.
Chateau D'If didn't do rehabilitation; it did retribution.
Prisoners died of neglect. They went insane. Once a week, they were allowed to visit the
vault-like Chapel of Notre Dame de Passion. There they thanked God that they were still alive
and prayed for forgiveness.
prison visit ends at a small museum which centres on a small fissure, through which the Count
of Monte Cristo was said to have escaped to freedom.
- Visitor info
of May to 20th of September, every day between 9,40 - 17,40
21th of September to 14th of May, daily between 9,00 - 15,30
Closed: The castle is closed each Monday from 15th
of September to 31th of March, 1st of January and 25th of
See the official website for more information about ticket prices and
Ferries to Château
d'If run from the Quai des Belges at the foot of La Canebiere in the
old harbour of Marseilles.
combined ticket to the Isles de Frioul with a stop at Chateau D'If costs about $15 and for
Chateau D'If only, about $10.
depart every half-hour from 6:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. during the summer.
Château d'If Map
Château d'If Address: Embarcadère Frioul If , 1 Quai de la Fraternité, 13001
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