Chateau d'If, Marseille

An impressive castle, Chateau d'If was the setting for Alexandre Dumas' adventure novel "The Count of Monte Cristo." This three-story building is 28 m (91 ft) high, situated on an island, and bordered by three towers with large gun embrasures. The castle never weathered an actual attack, though, and was eventually transformed into a prison. French Protestants were sent there in the early 19th century. The castle was converted into a public museum in 1890. It can now be reached by boat from Marseille's old port. For travelers who use our online itinerary creator, Marseille holidays become easier to arrange, with trips to the Chateau d'If and other attractions mapped out and timetabled.