Château d'If
Château d'If
4.5
Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Islands
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About
This famous fortress, standing on a rocky island off the coast of Marseille, was immortalised by Alexandre Dumas in The Count of Monte Cristo as the prison where the novel’s hero, Edmond Dantes, was incarcerated before ultimately escaping. The castle was built by Francois I in 1524 and over the centuries it gained a fearsome reputation as many opponents of royal power were jailed and died in the fortress. The Castle of If has been perfectly preserved and is one of the most impressive historical sites on the Mediterranean coastline. Open: > 15th May to 20th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. > 21st September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The last visit depends on the timetable of boats, information at the tourist information center, on our website monuments-nationaux.fr or on Frioul If express. Closed: > Mondays from 21st September to 14th May. > 1st January, 25th December and subject to bad weather. Admission fees: Adults : 5,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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- PhilFGuildfordLeeds, United Kingdom57 contributionsFascinating former island prison with great views of its surrounding areaConstructed from 1524 on an island that was once connected to the mainland, the Chateau d’If provided France with the capacity to protect their valuable port of Marseille some 4 decades after acquiring Provence. Nowadays however it is the association with Alexandre Dumas’s 1844 novel ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ that pulls in many visitors, and the site is best remembered as an island prison, a function assigned to it in 1580. It became a tourist attraction in 1890. Tickets can be purchased from an office on the corner of the Marseille’s Old Port, itself a fascinating piece of history since it was here that the city was founded by sailors around 600BC. Departures take place by boat and while waiting for the next one to arrive, queues permitting, it is possible to explore the Port a little and maybe stroll under the Pont Vieux Pavilion which is essentially a giant mirror. Inevitably the boat journey affords guests splendid views of Marseille and of the Chateau itself upon approach. After arriving at the island there are a number of steps to ascend but these are not too steep. Having presenting their access ticket the visitor can explore the rocky island, where seagulls nest and vegetation is limited but hardly sparse. Inside there is a section which according to a sign placed above its entrance is associated with Edmond Dantes, a character from Dumas’s story. Further signage indicates the names of individuals associated with each room. At the point of writing this review I am reminded of the terrible situation that prisoners found themselves in centuries ago, having had no means of immediately communicating with the outside world. It is something that people should reflect upon in 2020. While exploring the various rooms it becomes apparent that there is a lot of graffiti inscribed across the walls and doors. This is explained in a series of information boards located within the inner courtyard, and it is believed that a lot of this dates back to the 19th century and early 20th. There is also a well. Upon reaching the summit of the Chateau there is a fantastic viewpoint from which a significant amount of France’s second-largest city can be taken in. This includes the distant Notre Dame de la Garde basilica, located across the water and perched upon a hill. Of course there is a spiral staircase to ascend in order for visitors to reach this point. Marseille is a city that I wholeheartedly recommend to tourists and the Chateau d’If deserves to be near the top of everyone’s to-do list.Visited September 2019Written April 22, 2020
- Ang GScottish Highlands, United Kingdom332 contributionsBeautiful viewsWe booked our boat tickets at the Le Bateau booth which is in the old port of Marseille. Return boat trip cost 11 euro per adult, boats seemed to run every 40 minutes. The first day we tried to get tickets (this was around lunchtime) but the queue was too long and the only available times left were after 4pm which we didn't want, and you can't book for the next day either. We came back another morning around 9am, barely any queue so managed to get tickets for the next available boat. Boat trip to If takes about 20 minutes. Once there it costs 6 euro per adult to enter the Chateau. Very interesting to walk round and there are wonderful views of the Mediterranean coastline and surrounding area. There's a cafe and toilets on site too. Definitely recommend a visit.Visited July 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten July 20, 2022
- AdvisorKing153 contributionsCan never have too many castles!We tried to get tickets a number of times/ways, and while we were ultimately successful, the process left a lot to be desired. I appreciate this is a comment about the independent transportation there, rather than the historical site. We first went to the Old Port area of Marseille Aug 23 and went to the Le Bateau booth, but found a sign saying the castle was closed that day. We then spent the next two days trying to buy tickets online from the Le Bateau website. It appeared to facilitate ticket sales, but only ever provided an error message when trying to undertake the transaction. Eventually we concluded that the site is set up to let you start the process of buying tickets, but not actually let you buy them. We then went back to Marseille (about a 25 minute drive from where we were staying) Aug 26 hoping to buy tickets for the next day. However, an attendant explained to us that you can only buy tickets for the current day (at least that’s what we understood from our marginally adequate French). So we returned the next day around 10:45 and stood in line for about half an hour in order to be one of the last people to be able to buy tickets for the 2:35 sailing. So we spent three hours touring around the Old Port area again (for the third time) and boarded our ship on time. The sailing was relatively quick, about 20 minutes. I had fully expected to have to pay an entrance fee once we arrived at the castle. I think they may have mentioned this when they sold us the boat tickets, but in any event, it was what I expected, understanding that the boat is just transportation and the castle is a national historic site. The 6 Euro entrance fee seemed cheap and fair. We were provided an English brochure that had information about the chateau and some specific information about various rooms, but it was very brief and, in some places, somewhat cryptic (or maybe not very well translated). In any event, it would have been better if there had been a downloadable audio guide, or even just a more detailed printed guide. There were a number of rooms that were unlabeled on the printed guide. The Chateau is as cool up close as it looks from the hills around Marseille. There were dozens of great photo spots in and around the castle and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit.Visited August 2022Written September 18, 2022
- sarah b2 contributionsGreatGreat experience, however recommend book on line if possible the day before or at the port at 9am when they confirm if they can travel to the island. Otherwise queues can be large and you may have to wait several hours for next available departure. Also online tickets have separate queueVisited July 2023Traveled with familyWritten July 28, 2023
- Jus 606 contributionsShort boatride to go back in timeThis chateau was used a prison and is the setting for the book and film the Count of Monte Christo. Well preserved, with lots of information, this makes an interesting visit. The small on site cafe serves snacks, drinks and main meals as affordable prices.Visited July 2022Written July 9, 2022
- bavarianbasti76 contributionsNice island and great viewsDespite the boats going quite frequently you need to buy your tickets for the boat ride to the island in advance. We went to buy our tickets at 10:30am and the earliest boat was 14:35, so be aware of that. While the boats are separate from the Island, i.e. they just take you there and back and you still have to pay on the island, I somewhat see the whole experience as one. The ride itself is roughly 15minutes and you need less than 90min on the island. We read and saw everything and it took us 70min total. The island is small but you get good views from there and obviously also nice views when the boat goes in and out of the old harbour in Marseille. If you have a couple of hours to spare, it's a nice little excursion.Visited October 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten October 29, 2022
- mphipps1115 contributionsBeautiful setting, but a money grabWe took lebateau to both Chateau D'If and L'ile de Frioul. We were unpleasantly surprised when disembarking at Chateau d'if that we would have to pay in order to actually access the island. The castle itself was a neat piece of history (if you're interested in prisons), but being the only exhibit on the island I don't think it was worth the 6 euros. Stunning landscape but I would skip it next time.Visited September 2022Written September 15, 2022
- Dimitris LSydney, Australia43,559 contributionsAmazing placeWe travelled by boat to this intriguing little island not knowing what to expect. We knew it had some history. The trip was not very long. We only had limited time before the boat came back for the return trip to the city. It is a beautiful island, very small but full of history. It served as a fort and was meant to offer protection against invasion and it also protected the country's fleet. It became part of France in 1480. It has also served as a prison to many. However it is probably more famous as the island of The Count of Monte Cristo. And there is plenty of that too. It is definitely worth a visit.Visited July 2019Written June 28, 2020
- BigSur707Miami Beach, Florida379 contributionsWorth the tripEasy trip from old port in Marseille. Regular boats. Short trip of about 15-20 minutes. Beautiful views from here. The castle is open to the public and has interesting exhibits. The best part however is the views of Marseilles, the harbor, and surrounding islands.Visited June 2021Written June 6, 2021
- Tanya CSurrey, United Kingdom521 contributionsGreat boat trip & interesting historyWe opted for this trip as part of our Marseille tourist pass. Enjoyable boat ride (great views on boat) in lovely warm weather and you can spend as much time as you like walking around. Fascinating history - there is no lift & area is uneven which was a little bit difficult for our elderly relatives but we had plenty of time to explore which helped. Walk up is steep in parts too. Nice cafe with wonderful view and prices not too bad - we just had drinks & ice cream.Visited October 2019Traveled with familyWritten January 2, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,777 reviews
Excellent
858
Very good
643
Average
202
Poor
36
Terrible
38
sarah b
2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Great experience, however recommend book on line if possible the day before or at the port at 9am when they confirm if they can travel to the island. Otherwise queues can be large and you may have to wait several hours for next available departure. Also online tickets have separate queue
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jus 60
6 contributions
Jul 2022
This chateau was used a prison and is the setting for the book and film the Count of Monte Christo.
Well preserved, with lots of information, this makes an interesting visit.
The small on site cafe serves snacks, drinks and main meals as affordable prices.
Well preserved, with lots of information, this makes an interesting visit.
The small on site cafe serves snacks, drinks and main meals as affordable prices.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bavarianbasti
76 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Despite the boats going quite frequently you need to buy your tickets for the boat ride to the island in advance. We went to buy our tickets at 10:30am and the earliest boat was 14:35, so be aware of that. While the boats are separate from the Island, i.e. they just take you there and back and you still have to pay on the island, I somewhat see the whole experience as one. The ride itself is roughly 15minutes and you need less than 90min on the island. We read and saw everything and it took us 70min total.
The island is small but you get good views from there and obviously also nice views when the boat goes in and out of the old harbour in Marseille.
If you have a couple of hours to spare, it's a nice little excursion.
The island is small but you get good views from there and obviously also nice views when the boat goes in and out of the old harbour in Marseille.
If you have a couple of hours to spare, it's a nice little excursion.
Written October 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mphipps11
15 contributions
Sep 2022
We took lebateau to both Chateau D'If and L'ile de Frioul. We were unpleasantly surprised when disembarking at Chateau d'if that we would have to pay in order to actually access the island. The castle itself was a neat piece of history (if you're interested in prisons), but being the only exhibit on the island I don't think it was worth the 6 euros. Stunning landscape but I would skip it next time.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia43,559 contributions
Jul 2019
We travelled by boat to this intriguing little island not knowing what to expect. We knew it had some history. The trip was not very long. We only had limited time before the boat came back for the return trip to the city. It is a beautiful island, very small but full of history. It served as a fort and was meant to offer protection against invasion and it also protected the country's fleet. It became part of France in 1480. It has also served as a prison to many. However it is probably more famous as the island of The Count of Monte Cristo. And there is plenty of that too. It is definitely worth a visit.
Written June 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigSur707
Miami Beach, FL379 contributions
Jun 2021
Easy trip from old port in Marseille. Regular boats. Short trip of about 15-20 minutes. Beautiful views from here. The castle is open to the public and has interesting exhibits. The best part however is the views of Marseilles, the harbor, and surrounding islands.
Written June 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tanya C
Surrey, UK521 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
We opted for this trip as part of our Marseille tourist pass. Enjoyable boat ride (great views on boat) in lovely warm weather and you can spend as much time as you like walking around. Fascinating history - there is no lift & area is uneven which was a little bit difficult for our elderly relatives but we had plenty of time to explore which helped. Walk up is steep in parts too. Nice cafe with wonderful view and prices not too bad - we just had drinks & ice cream.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HappyHammer69
Port Macquarie, Australia929 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a must visit in my view if you're in Marseille. We simply walked to the marina in Marseille where we approached a ticket office offering various boat trips to different destinations. The man i ticket office spoke great English so I didn't have to subject him to my schoolboy French. We bought tickets for the 2pm trip and went to get a drink while we waited.
The trip across to the island where the old prison is was great, travelling through the harbour entrance and then out to the Chateau D'if. Our ticket included entry into the Chateau and it was a very interesting visit with lots of information available in lots of languages.
The trip across to the island where the old prison is was great, travelling through the harbour entrance and then out to the Chateau D'if. Our ticket included entry into the Chateau and it was a very interesting visit with lots of information available in lots of languages.
Written February 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VickyLargs
Largs, UK130 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
We bought tickets in the port, including entry to the fortress for 17 euros each. A short 20 min boat ride offered great views on the way. Enjoyed exploring the famous fortress and was pleasantly surprised to see lots of information in Russian, particularly related to Dumas and the Count of Monte Cristo. The novel is so popular in all Russian-speaking countries. Happy that we managed to do this trip.
Written July 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jbg74
Saint Paul, MN961 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
I read the Count of Monte Cristo when I was a teenager so this was a must to visit. Even if you haven't read the book, it is still a great fortress prison to visit. There is a lot of information on both the book, Dumas, and the real prisoners on the island. It is a 20 minute boat ride from Marseille and makes for a great visit.
Written May 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Philippe E
Brussels, Belgium834 contributions
Bonjour les chiens en laisse sont ils admis sur l île ? Merci
Misleadiel M
Namur, Belgium12 contributions
Bonjour,
en réponse a votre mail nous vous informons que les chiens sont uniquement tolérés en laisse sur le site,et interdit a l’intérieur du monument.
nous vous restons a votre disposition pour de plus amples informations
bien cordialement
CENTRE DES MONUMENTS NATIONAUX
Château d'If
8, rue Glandevès
13001 Marseille
04 91 59 02 30
06 03 06 25 26 (port)
04 91 59 05 62 (fax)
Хотела бы узнать расписание на катера, и оно ходят ли выходные дни?
nakata69
Marseille, France269 contributions
bonjour il y a des départs tous les jours de la semaine . et même plusieurs fois par jour.
Giselle T
Recife, PE41 contributions
Qual empresa faço uma reserva para o chateai d'if? Que inclua barco e entradas
Whats the privé of the boot to chateau d’ If
michele b
Aix-en-Provence, France231 contributions
Le trajet aller retour est a 11 € if jour question correspond To the price good travelling
le prix du bateau de marseille au chateau d'if
Versancepascal
Paris, France255 contributions
Trajet simple :
Traversée Aller ou Retour
Tarif par personne : 5,60 €
Trajet Aller/Retour 1 île :
Vieux Port - île du Frioul OU Vieux Port - île d'If :
Plein tarif par personne : 10,80 €
Trajet Aller/Retour combiné 2 îles :
Vieux Port - île d'If PLUS île du Frioul
Plein tarif "combiné" par personne : 16,20 €
L'accès à l'île d'If est payant (tarif adulte : 6 € - achat des titres sur place)
les bâteaux frioul assurent 7j/7 une liaison maritime régulière vers l’archipel du Frioul au départ du Vieux Port.
Embarquez à la découverte du Château d’If et du Frioul pour une escapade en mer d’exception a bord de l' Edmond Dantes et le Henri-Jacques Esperandieu,
- bâteaux conçu pour tous les temps, sauf tempête de Mistral
voir
se deplacer a marseille transports-navettes-maritimes
quel est le prix du bateau de marseille au chateau d'if
pandalouve3013
Nimes, France87 contributions
Attention si vous souhaitez faire les îles du frioul après pensez à prendre le bon billet 2 îles !!@
sussexlover
Willingdon, UK90 contributions
Hi can you buy the tickets for the extended trip to the other island together?? Does it take all day?? Thanks
patrickruymen
Sete, France52 contributions
Yes you can, you can pick the sites according to the different schedules offered
princesse42120
France43 contributions
bonjour .les petits chiens sont ils accepter .coton de tulléar dans un sac a dos expres pour chien
co s
Marseille, France62 contributions
oui dans ces conditions je pense qu'il n'y a pas de probleme puis une laisse pour visiter et sac pour ramasser bonne visite
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Frequently Asked Questions about Château d'If
- We recommend booking Château d'If tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Château d'If tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Château d'If:
- (0.04 mi) Grand Hotel Beauvau Marseille Vieux-Port-MGallery
- (0.05 mi) Hotel Carre Vieux Port Marseille
- (0.04 mi) Escale Oceania Marseille Vieux Port
- (0.06 mi) Maisons du Monde Hotel & Suites Marseille Vieux Port
- (0.15 mi) Hôtel La Residence du Vieux Port
- Restaurants near Château d'If:
- (0.03 mi) Brasserie OM Café - Officiel
- (0.03 mi) Burger King
- (0.04 mi) Jour Marseille Vieux Port
- (0.10 mi) Cafe Bovo
- (0.06 mi) Glacier Bio Café Le METROPOLE
Château d'If Information
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