King Francis I of France, in the early part of the 16th century, recognized the strategic importance of the island of “If” for defending France’s Mediterranean coastline. In 1524, he commissioned the construction of a three story square (92 feet on each side) “Château,” with three watch towers and large gun battlements, on this smallest island in the Friol archipelago, 7/8 of a mile off the entrance to Marseilles’ Old Port. Its deterrent factor was so huge that it never had to engage in any battle ( Holy Roman Emporer Charles V had developed plans to attack Marseilles but he never followed through).
Later on, the fortress was transformed into a prison. Its isolated location and the dangerous off-shore currents made it an ideal prison site ( similar to San Francisco’s Alcatraz). Because so many political and religious prisoners were detained here, Chateau d’If became one of the most notorious and feared jails in France.
In the mid-19th century, the island gained international fame when Alexander Dumas used it as the setting for “The Count of Monte Christo.” The current chateau maintains a rough hewn dungeon as a tourist attraction in honor of Dumas’ fictional character, Edmond Dantes. While another novel “ The Man in the Iron Mask,” has some believe that Chateau d’If is the setting for its main character, there is little or no evidence to substantiate this belief.
During the time the chateau served as a prison, a very definite class system was in existence. The poor were housed in the bottom level cold and damp cells, often with twenty or more detainees in each. The wealthy, meanwhile, could purchase private cells higher up, with windows and a fireplace.
By the end of the 19th century, Chateau d’If ceased to function as a prison and was opened to the public (September of 1890) as a tourist attraction. In addition to Dumas’s novel, the Château has been featured in a number of fictional works, including “The French Connection” and Clive Cussler’s novel “Spartan Gold.”
Later on, the fortress was transformed into a prison. Its isolated location and the dangerous off-shore currents made it an ideal prison site ( similar to San Francisco’s Alcatraz). Because so many political and religious prisoners were detained here, Chateau d’If became one of the most notorious and feared jails in France.
In the mid-19th century, the island gained international fame when Alexander Dumas used it as the setting for “The Count of Monte Christo.” The current chateau maintains a rough hewn dungeon as a tourist attraction in honor of Dumas’ fictional character, Edmond Dantes. While another novel “ The Man in the Iron Mask,” has some believe that Chateau d’If is the setting for its main character, there is little or no evidence to substantiate this belief.
During the time the chateau served as a prison, a very definite class system was in existence. The poor were housed in the bottom level cold and damp cells, often with twenty or more detainees in each. The wealthy, meanwhile, could purchase private cells higher up, with windows and a fireplace.
By the end of the 19th century, Chateau d’If ceased to function as a prison and was opened to the public (September of 1890) as a tourist attraction. In addition to Dumas’s novel, the Château has been featured in a number of fictional works, including “The French Connection” and Clive Cussler’s novel “Spartan Gold.”
Several ferries are scheduled each day (weather permitting) to transport visitors from Marseilles’ Old Port out to Chateau d’If.
The landing dock provides an indication of just how inhospitable the island seems.
Dungeons for the poor are located off this lower level courtyard. Cells here are dark, cold and damp.
An upper level balcony gives a good view of the central courtyard below.
Wealthier prisoners could purchase “more hospitable “ accommodations on the upper levels.
This dungeon is maintained by the chateau to honor Alexander Dumas’ fictional character, Edmond Dantes in “ The Count of Monte Christo..”
Wealthy prisoners could pay for a private cell on the upper floor with a window...
...and a fireplace.
So close, yet so far away! This view is from an upper level cell looking towards Marseilles.
While the fortress never experienced an actual battle, its strategic position served as a major deterrent to any attacks along France’s Mediterranean coastline.
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