Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur · Bouches-du-Rhône, France

Château d'If

The island fortress in the bay of Marseille, built by Francis I to guard the port and soon converted into the prison it never ceased to be for three centuries. Alexandre Dumas made it immortal as the dungeon of Edmond Dantès in The Count of Monte Cristo — fiction so powerful the 'cell of Dantès' is shown to this day.

At a glance

Built: 1524–1531
Style: Renaissance island fortress
Commissioned by: Francis I
Signature feature: Square keep and three towers on the islet of If, 1.5 km offshore
Literary fame: Prison of Edmond Dantès in Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo
Real prisoners: Held Protestants, political prisoners and Communards
Ownership: French state (Centre des monuments nationaux); reached by boat from the Vieux-Port
Visiting: Open to visitors (boats weather-permitting)