Château d'If, Marseille

Château d'If is a fortress which is located in the island of If, one mile off the shore of Marseille in the Mediterranean Sea. The château was built between the years 1524 and 1531 by Francis I to ward off enemies that intended to attack the city from the sea. The building comprises a 3-story square structure guarded by three towers with gun embrasures. Later on in the 19th Century, the Château d'If was used as an prison and was once notoriously renowned as a dumping place for political and religious prisoners. The Château d'If was made famous by the Alexandre Dumas novel "The Count of Monte Cristo," in which the protagonist makes a daring escape from the prison to the shore of Marseille. Today, Château d'If is open to public and is accessible during the day. Call for more information for boats from the pier of Marseille.

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