We are now in the middle of the natural bay of Marseille On your right is the archipelago of Frioul consisting of four main islands, of which the most famous is If… containing the castle in Alexandre Dumas’ famous novel The count of Monte Cristo.

History of If Castle's island

Although being a fictitious story, it contains some historical facts … the abbot Faria actually stayed there! This novel is the most read book in the world (after the Bible).
The Fort was built in the 16th century when King François 1st realised the strategic importance of this place to defend Marseille.
Having known no major battle, it was converted into a state prison holding (at different periods) protestants and antimonarchists. The castle of If remained a prison up until the end of the 19th century, before being classified a protected monument in 1926.