If you love history and architecture, then you can't go wrong visiting chateaux in France. From the riverside beauties of the Loire Valley to fairy-tale castles in Alsace and hilltop forts in the southwest, there are hundreds of chateaux in this country, all offering an intriguing glimpse into the life and culture of French aristocrats.
1. Get There Early
If you're visiting Marseille, make sure to get there early and take a boat tour of Chateau d?If. The castle is located on a small island off the coast and it's a popular day trip from the city.
It was the inspiration for Alexandre Dumas' famous novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. In addition, it's reputed to be where the Man in the Iron Mask was incarcerated.
2. Take a Boat Tour
The tiny island of If, part of the Frioul Archipelago, is famous for its former prison and for being one of the settings in Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 adventure novel The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s a popular tourist destination today.
Chateau d’If was built in 1524 on orders from King Francis I as a defense against potential attacks from the sea. It was used as a prison until it was turned into a public tourist attraction in September 1890.
3. Go on a Guided Tour
A tour of the eerie prison that inspired The Count of Monte Cristo at your own pace with skip-the-line access. This admission ticket will give you priority access to one of the city's most popular attractions - and will also get you into the permanent exhibition on Alexander Dumas and the Count of Monte Cristo.
It's a famous prison in its own right, but it gained world-wide attention when Alexandre Dumas immortalised it in his classic novel. The Count of Monte Cristo spent 14 years imprisoned there before escaping successfully.
4. Take a Guided Tour of the Cells
Located opposite Marseille's old port, this former naval fortress became France's Alcatraz. Originally a prison, it was used to house political prisoners and revolutionaries.
You can take a guided tour of the cells and learn about its history and eerie atmosphere. There are many cold stone cells with displays imagining what it might have been like to be imprisoned here, real or imagined.
5. Go on a Guided Tour of the Gardens
You’ll find an array of different styles and shapes of gardens at Chateau d?If, including English-style, formal French and more. The chateau also has a vegetable garden, a rose garden and orchards filled with ancient varieties of fruit trees.
There are several tours available, from the self-guided to scheduled ones. I recommend taking a guided tour so that you can get the most out of your visit.
6. Go on a Guided Tour of the Prison
Located a mile offshore in the Mediterranean Sea, this island fortress was immortalized by Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo. It is also a popular tourist attraction today, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world every year.
The prison served as a jail for over 400 years and was demilitarized on September 23rd 1890, making it a public attraction open to the general public. Due to the fame of Dumas' famous book and the stories of many inmates that spent their time there, it has become one of Europe's most visited prison tourism sites.
7. Go on a Guided Tour of the Fish Market
The fish market (Marche aux Poissons) at the Vieux Port is a bustling and colourful affair. The intense smell of the catch and the salty sea breeze contributes to making it a lively and engaging experience.
The smallest island in the Frioul Islands archipelago is Chateau d’If, immortalized in Alexandre Dumas’ classic The Count of Monte Cristo as the prison where Edmond Dantes stayed. Legend has it that it was also a prison for the Man in the Iron Mask, but there is no proof to confirm or deny this story.
8. Go on a Guided Tour of Marseille
One of the best ways to explore Marseilles is by taking a guided tour. You'll be able to see everything that Marseilles has to offer in a short amount of time.
A popular attraction among tourists, Chateau d?If is located on a small island in the Frioul Archipelago. It was used as a prison for centuries and is famous for being immortalised in Alexandre Dumas' 1844 classic The Count of Monte Cristo.
