In If Its castle, built by the French king Francis I in 1524, was later used as a state prison. The most famous prisoner of the Château d’If was Edmond Dantes – the later count of Monte Cristo. Naturally, Dumas christened the chateau the "Château de Monte-Cristo" and the Gothic house the "Chateau D'If." The island of If is 1.5 km offshore of the Bay of Marseille, and 3.5 km from Vieux Port. Chateau d’If is a former prison on an island at the entrance to Le Vieux Port in the Bay of Marseille. They were crafted by Tunisian artisans in the service the Bey of Tunis, commissioned and brought here by Dumas after one of his voyages. Léon Gozlan – L'Almanach comique - 1848. Visitors can take a ferry boat from the Vieux Port (Old Port) to … The Chateau d'If is the island fortress located off the coast of Marseille France. Chateau Dumas Chateau Dumas is a beautiful 18th century estate with 22 acres of private gardens and pool located in the countryside in southwest France, one hour north of the vibrant city of Toulouse. Money was no object and he employed the fashionable architect Hippolyte Durand, who went on to design the Basilica of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception at Lourdes in 1872. Dumas himself is center stage above the main entrance. Today films and TV series ensure that his classics which include The Man in the Iron Mask and The Count of Monte Cristo (set on the Ile d'If just off Marseille) are familiar to a whole new generation. In 1844, Alexandre Dumas was at the height of his fame. The Château de Monte-Cristo is a writer's house museum located in the French country. On the grounds of Chateau de Monte Cristo in Marly le Roi, France. The narrator says that Dantes himself is on the verge of madness after his days spent in the horrid conditions of the Chateau D’If, thinking only of Mercedes and his father. It’s a delightful château that the author Alexander Dumas (1802-1870) had built for him in 1844 after his two novels, The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers shot him to the top of 19th-century bestsellers lists. World of Fantasy. But the most famous prisoner here was undoubtedly Edmond Dantès, the protagonist of Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo. In an emotional response, two preservation groups came together to save this heritage from the threat of the speculators. Dogs and cats roamed the grounds, but the menagerie included parrots, monkeys and even a vulture ... life was never dull chez Dumas. A sculpture of a dog in a niche decorates the stairs leading up to the Château d’If. It is this fictional character from the novel of Alexandre Dumas that made the Château d’If so popular among tourists visiting Marseilles. The literal English translation is the Castle or Fortress of Possibility. The "chateau d'If" - Dumas' name for this charming neo-gothic castle - stands in its own moat and is full of architectural curiosity. The chateau de Monte-Cristo is a delight, with sculpted facades on every side. Dumas loved to entertain at Monte-Cristo. Unlike him, your stay at Chateau d'If won't be 14 years of unjust imprisonment. Flush with the success of The Three Musketeers and The Count of Monte-Cristo (both published as serial novels in newspapers), he was looking for somewhere where he could escape the turmoil of the city, and find the calm he needed to produce new manuscripts for his editors. Château d'If Château d'If, a famous castle in southern France. The last visit depends on the timetable of boats, information at the tourist information center, on our website (External link)or on Frioul If express. It is the tale of a man who spent 14 years imprisoned on the island before finally making a daring escape. While the Château d’If gained a large amount of notoriety on its own, it began to receive worldwide notice following the printing of Alexandre Dumas’ novel, The Count of Monte Cristo, in 1844. Alexandre Dumas > Quotes > Quotable Quote “Dantes had entered the Chateau d’If with the round, open, smiling face of a young and happy man, with whom the early paths of life have been smooth. The park folds the chateau in a green embrace - a graceful setting. They're all worth a look at. Pour une simple halte ou pour une visite plus longue, de multiples activités sont proposées :… Legend of Château d’If In Literature Alexandre Dumas from photo display at Chateau d’If (J. Chung) Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870) was born in Picardy, France and was a successful playwright and novelist. It’s the tale of sailor Edmond Dantès who was wrongly accused of treason and spent 14 years at Chateau d’If … In the 2002 adaptation starring Jim Caviezel, the château was represented by Saint Mary's Tower on Comino, the smallest inhabited Maltese island. You wander through a small set of rooms decorated with furniture, art, sculptures, and artifacts. Château d'If History She lives part-time in Auvergne, France and writes travel articles about the country. Protestants and Republicans, plus anyone opposing official authority was imprisoned at Château d’If from 1580 until 1871. The château passed from hand to hand, suffered from neglect and became dilapidated. Vaux-le-Vicomte Near Paris Started With Intrigue and Ended in Glory, The Ultimate Château Road Trip Through Burgundy, France, Explore the Home of Alexandre Dumas in Monte Cristo. The dream included a renaissance chateau standing close by a gothic castle in miniature, complete with its own small moat. Dumas' home was full of pets, too. Chateau d’If was a notorious prison in its own right but it became world famous with the publication of Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo in 1844. The “chateau d’If” – Dumas’ name for this charming neo-gothic castle – stands in its own moat and is full of architectural curiosity. Demolition loomed. The monument is open Our teams are happy to welcome you safely and in accordance with the new visit methods presented on this following page. “The Château d’If ? However, other locations have been used to represent Château d'If in film adaptations of the work. He spoke Italian like a Tuscan, and Spanish like a Castilian; he would have been free, and happy with Mercedes and his father, whereas he was now confined in the Chateau d’If, that impregnable fortress, ignorant of the future destiny of his father and Mercedes; and all … Château d’If is an old island prison off the coast of Marseille. cried he (…) Alexandre Dumas (father) The Count of Monte Cristo. Closed 1. After that Dumas lived a peripatetic existence in Belgium, Russia, and Italy. 1st January, 1st May and 25th December and subject to bad weather Making my way through the gardens ‘à l’Anglaise’, past grottoes, rockeries, waterfalls and pools, I found myself in front of Le Château d’If, an exquisite miniature storybook castle. Mary Anne Evans is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. The "chateau d'If" - Dumas' name for this charming neo-gothic castle - stands in its own moat and is full of architectural curiosity. Still attached to his home, Dumas was able to remain at Monte-Cristo with the consent of the buyer, until 1851, when he left his personal paradise behind for exile in Belgium. Dumas' history, personality and literary inspiration are visible everywhere you turn - from flowers, angels and musical instruments, to heraldic arms and strange beasts. CC BY-SA 3.0 Here’s our guide to the history behind … Partez à la découverte du château d’If, lieu emblématique de l’œuvre d’Alexandre Dumas, le comte de Monte-Cristo. “Bad weather!” observed one of … Château de Monte-Cristo • 78560 Le Port-Marly • Tél. Have you visited these 9 French cities? Dumas’ reputation as a literary giant suffered a roller coaster as fashions changed and it wasn’t until the late 20th century that his reputation was re-established. (Subject to modification. In a final flourish, the pinnacles rising from the chateau's two turrets are inscribed with the writer's monogram. The walls are decorated with fine stucco sculptures and arabesques. Surrounded by rolling parkland, the Renaissance-style château is quite small. The property changed hands several times until 1969. The cliff-top watchtower can be seen from the ferry crossing between Malta and Gozo. Monte-Cristo is pure Alexandre Dumas, a genuine reflection of his creative imagination. The Château d’If was built from 1524-31 under the order of Francis I. “I had a chance to read Monte Christo in prison once, too, but not to the end. On the first floor is one of the highlights of the chateau: a salon decorated in authentic moorish style. Date of experience: March 2019 Ask John Dan K about Chateau d'If The Moorish room on the first floor comes as a surprise among the European-style decor, but it's as authentic as you could want. The château passed from hand to hand, suffered from neglect and became dilapidated. His father, Thomas-Alexandre Dumas was a general in the French army and provided inspiration for his son’s writings. The Château d’If, as Dumas named it, is a delightful tiny neo-gothic castle, whose facades are carved with titles of his work. It was the home of the famous French writer, Alexandre Dumas, père. Open )* 2nd January to 1st April: from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. 1. Balzac once described the duo as “one of the most delicious follies ever created … the most royal sweetbox in existence.” Everything about the life and times of Alexandre Dumas was filled with romance. 2nd october to 31st December: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. That's especially true of the park, where Dumas' generosity of spirit and extravagance captivates now just as it did in his lifetime. Celebrated by Alexandre Dumas and his character Edmond Dantès, the Count of Monte Cristo, the Château d'If is one of the most visited sites in Marseille, with more than 100,000 visitors a year. Built on a small 30.000 square meters island in the Bay of Marseille, this fortified fortress with walls guarding every inch of its coast represented perfect place for prison. The island is part of the Frioul archipelago, overlooking the central harbour. The intimate room—perfect for seduction—was decorated by a Tunisian craftsman he met during his extensive travels and brought back to work on the building. The writer had portraits of historic playwrights placed above each ground floor window - but pride of place goes to Dumas himself, who still greets you from above the entrance. This was Dumas' study, where he retreated for hours on end to write in peace and solitude. It couldn't last forever, not even for Dumas. Mondays from 2nd January to 1st April and from 2nd october to 31st December 2. On the 22nd March, 1849, Alexandre Dumas settled up for the modest sum of 31,000 gold francs, though the property had cost him hundreds of thousands. Dumas died in 1870 at Puys, near Dieppe, in the house of his son Alexandre Dumas the Younger, best known for The Lady of the Camellias. It was rescued from destruction in 1969 … Little by little, the chateau fell into disrepair and lost its prestige. It stands atop a small limestone island opposite the harbor of Marseille, and its terrace affords a splendid view of the port. Not to mention his missing such nice details as the carrying of the latrine bucket from the cell daily, about which Dumas with the ignorance of a free person says nothing. Author: Moonik. He was then living in Saint Germain en Laye. The roof developed holes and water began to seep inside. The writer stamped his creative soul on the building; its facades are carved with titles of his works, and decorated with sculptures of some of his fictional heroes. The Château d’If is located on the island of If, which is one of four islands that make up the Frioul archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea off of the coast of Marseille. The writer stamped his creative soul on the building; its facades are carved with titles of his works, and decorated with sculptures of some of his fictional heroes. His rather romantic vision was for a Renaissance château with the smaller red-brick Le Château d’If as his workspace, an English-style park and plenty of grottoes, rockeries, and small waterfalls. Fountains, rockeries and waterfalls completed the effect. Keep in mind that entrance to the fortress costs extra – 6 euros (around $7). It is famous for being one of the settings of Alexandre Dumas’ adventure novel, The Count of Monte Cristo. Château d'if The Défi de Monte-Cristo, an exceptional challenge where sporting effort joins the cultural imagination thanks to Alexandre Dumas, wanted to give on its website all the place that the Château d'If deserves: That of a historic and legendary place known all over the world! In 1848, pursued by his many creditors, Dumas decided to sell his property along with all his furniture and decorative objects. Specialties: Sur les traces du Masque de Fer L'île d'If est la plus petite île de l'archipel du Frioul avec ses 3 hectares de rocher blanc. rather as the young fall in love with the moon" It became famous as a result of the publication of a book by the French writer Alexandre Dumas called "The Count of Monte Cristo". The writer stamped his creative soul on the building; its facades are carved with titles of his works, and decorated with sculptures of some of his fictional heroes. Review of Chateau d'If Reviewed April 11, 2017 Castle then using prisoner. His door was  open to everyone, including many who lived at his expense, taking advantage of his legendary hospitality and open-handedness. Cont de Monte cristo idea has been realised by Alexander Dumas.. Château d'If Off the coast of Marseille, discover the Château d’If and its unique panorama. +33 1 39 16 49 49, The Syndicat intercommunal de Monte-Cristo. 7 Châteaux You Can See by Train or Bus From Paris, The Best Things to See & Do in Marseille, France, Top 20 Most Popular French Cities for International Visitors, 10 Classic & Recent Books That Transport You Straight to France, 48 Hours in Marseille, France: The Ultimate Itinerary, The Top 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France, Top 10 Paris Hotels Close to the Eiffel Tower, Enjoy a Day in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, France's Many Islands Make a Perfect Getaway. There are many day trips you can take from Paris, but one of the best for any fan of literature or architecture must visit the Château de Monte Cristo just outside Paris. The château is delightful, a rather homely castle you could imagine living in. The decorated stairs of the Château d’If. The castle was made famous when Alexandre Dumas père, the 19th-century French writer, used it as one of the settings in his novel The Count of Monte Cristo … Apr 9, 2012 - Chateau d'If Alexandre Dumas built this little castle in 1844 as his writing hideaway. It takes you through the story of this extraordinary writer. • The Château d'If is famous for being one of the settings of Alexandre Dumas' adventure novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Despite the vast amounts of money he earned, he was forced to sell the château though he remained there until 1851. Reportedly, some 550 out of the 600 individuals who showed up at Dumas’s housewarming on July 25 1847 were gatecrashers. He held court, entertained his female conquests and organised fabulous parties, serving up culinary dishes of his his own devising. Built as a fortress against Mediterranean Sea raiders between 1524 and 1531, Chateau d’If is still situated on its small, forbidding island about a mile from the French city of Marseille. Château d'If is today regarded as one of the most famous European prisons.