Château d'If

This photogenic island fortress guarding the entrance to Marseille's Old Port (Vieux Port) was immortalized in Alexandre Dumas' 1844 classic «The Count of Monte Cristo».

The historical truth is that many political prisoners were imprisoned here, including the revolutionary hero Mirabeau and the Communards of 1871. Apart from the island itself, there's not much to see, but it's worth visiting just for the view of the Vieux Port.

A key fortress. Francis I assigned a triple purpose to the Château d'If: to protect the coasts from invasion, to cover the exits and anchorages of the brand new fleet of royal galleys, and to watch over Marseille, which was annexed to the Kingdom of France in 1480.

A state prison. From 1580 to 1871, government opponents led by Protestants and Republicans were imprisoned there.

This place has been restored in recent years. There are very few places left on this island that are closed to visitors - because restoration continues there.

But here there is a big But from us...

In 2011, the work outside was still in its infancy and inside the cells were recognizably old, gloomy, and we could well understand the frustration of the Count of Monte Cristo, respectively the real prisoners - especially when the old town of Marseille shines through the small windows in the evening light.