An island fortress built by Francois I in 1524 to protect Marseille from attack, the Chateau d'If was used as a prison from the 17th century. It became famous as the castle setting of Alexander Dumas' 1844 novel The Count of Monte Cristo. May-September, daily 9 am-6:30 pm; October-March, Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 am-5:30 pm; April, daily 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Closed on windy days. Admission to the fortress is 5 euros; the round-trip ferry ride is 10 euros. The ferry usually leaves from the Quai des Belges in the Vieux Port every hour, 9 am-5 pm, but sometimes leaves from the adjacent Quai du Port. Phone 04-9159-0230 for the chateau, 04-9155-5009 for the ferry.
