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Book Your Château d'If Marseille Tickets & Tours
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- Right opposite the old port of Marseilles lies the Chateau d’If, a famous island fortress-prison from the 16th century.
- Tour the insides at your own pace and gasp at the old graffiti by past prisoners that adorn the walls and learn about the Republicans incarcerated here.
- Even though this fort gained a fearful reputation for imprisoning those who stood up to the royal powers, this fort was built for other valiant purposes.
- With strict measures in place, you’re guaranteed a safe experience from start to finish.
- Right opposite the old port of Marseilles lies the Chateau d’If, a famous island fortress-prison from the 16th century.
- Tour the insides at your own pace and gasp at the old graffiti by past prisoners that adorn the walls and learn about the Republicans incarcerated here.
- Even though this fort gained a fearful reputation for imprisoning those who stood up to the royal powers, this fort was built for other valiant purposes.
- With strict measures in place, you’re guaranteed a safe experience from start to finish.
Inclusions
- Entry to Château d’If
Exclusions
- Ferry ride to the island
- Please note that there is free admission during the following days: European Heritage Days on the third weekend of Sep, and every first Sunday of the month from Nov to Mar.
- Entry is free for anyone under the age of 18 years, and for European Union nationals or non-EU residents in France aged between 18 and 25 years (an ID is necessary).
- Entry is free for disabled guests with an accompanying adult, jobseekers (on presentation of a certificate less than 6 months old), and holders of a valid education pass.
- This ticket has no audio guides available. However, you will enjoy a subtitled film screened during your visit.
- All guests are required to follow the safety instructions indicated at the entrance of the monument strictly.
- Please note that some spaces might remain closed for safety reasons.
- The last sea shuttle towards the castle departs at 3:15 PM.
- The experience is not accessible for people with mobility issues.
- These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 16 March, 2123.
- These tickets are valid until 16 March, 2123.
Reviews
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Snapshots from our guests
4.9
9,766 ratings
9.3K
190
29
25
181
Guests from United States, Italy, Spain and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Da
Jun 2025Verified booking
A must-do activity, it was very pleasant to take the ferry and then once at the château d'if, very instructive explanations of the site. Thanks for a great time
View original review in French
Stephane
May 2025Verified booking
No complaints. A little too crowded for my taste, which made the visit a little less enjoyable, but otherwise it was perfect.
View original review in French
Arno
Jun 2025Verified booking
Very easy booking, phenomenal boat trip. the visit was very good with explanations etc.
View original review in Spanish
Simader-Thumb
Jun 2025Verified booking
Ian
Jun 2025Verified booking
maurizio
May 2025Verified booking
Lucian
May 2025Verified booking
donatella
Apr 2025Verified booking
Yvan
Apr 2025Verified booking
Davide
Apr 2025Verified booking
The venue was closed and no warning was given during reservation
Luis
May 2025Verified booking
I was not informed that it not included the boat ride plus I was not able to use the tickets because no boats were operating that day due to sea conditions. I would like a refund.
Meddahi
May 2025Verified booking
I know I didn't choose the right mention I couldn't visit the castle because the sea was rough and no boat could go to the castle, and as the ticket was non-refundable I lost 7 euros.
View original review in French
Alessandro
Apr 2025Verified booking
I could not have the experience because it was cancelled
View original review in Italian
James
May 2025Verified booking
Hadassah
Apr 2025Verified booking
SILVIA
Apr 2025Verified booking
Georg
Apr 2025Verified booking
Maria
Apr 2025Verified booking
FIORINI
Feb 2025Verified booking
I booked my tickets online. I received them by email in less than 5 minutes. The château d'if is a wonderful excursion. The site is magnificent and the view of Marseille is splendid. It was a very nice outing, I highly recommend it.
View original review in French
Juri
Feb 2025Verified booking
Very easy booking process , entering without line .
Younes
Feb 2025Verified booking
Josiane
Jan 2025Verified booking
Tritz
Feb 2025Verified booking
The boat did not stop at the château d'if due to bad weather. Impossible to change the date of my ticket
View original review in French
André
Jan 2025Verified booking
I tried for 3 days using the ticket, but they kept saying that it was too Winet and no bota would go to the castle. So, I want my Money back
Stefanie
Sep 2024Verified booking
Easy to book tickets, but we weren't sure if this was for the boat to Chateau d'If or for the entrance to the island. It turned out it was for the entrance of the island. Price very reasonable. The boat trip was 20 mins to get to Chateau d'If. Wonderful blue water of the Mediterranean, fantastic. The island is very small but interesting. I was mostly interested in the Count of Monte Cristo, a fictitious character, but there was a cell made up for the Count in the Chateau; and there were plaques of the real people who were incarcerated there. Absolutely great. We had a drink in the cafe, which was very nice, and after that we went for a walk around the island. It was an absolutely great day and we would do it again, if we ever go back to Marseille. Just wonderful xx
- Witness the blend of old and new on a 1-day hop-on hop-off tour of Marseille journeying through ancient markets and stylish waterfront promenades.
- With buses arriving every 20 mins, you will never have to wait long to continue your journey and you can get on and off at the 14 stops whenever you want.
- Travel in style and comfort in the open-top double-decker buses equipped with a multilingual audio guide captivating you with tales of Marseille.
- See popular landmarks like the Old Port, Saint Victor’s Abbey, La Major Cathedral, and more on your HOHO route.
- Witness the blend of old and new on a 1-day hop-on hop-off tour of Marseille journeying through ancient markets and stylish waterfront promenades.
- With buses arriving every 20 mins, you will never have to wait long to continue your journey and you can get on and off at the 14 stops whenever you want.
- Travel in style and comfort in the open-top double-decker buses equipped with a multilingual audio guide captivating you with tales of Marseille.
- See popular landmarks like the Old Port, Saint Victor’s Abbey, La Major Cathedral, and more on your HOHO route.
Inclusions
- 1-day hop-on hop-off bus tour
- Audio guide in French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese & Japanese
- Free Wi-Fi
Please click here for a detailed route map and boarding points.
You can join the tour at any stop and hop on and off for the duration of your ticket.
Red route
- First bus: 10am from Boulevard Jacques Saadé or Quai des Belges
- Last bus: 5pm from Boulevard Jacques Saadé or Quai des Belges
- Frequency: every 20 mins
- Popular stops: Pharo Palace, Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde, Cathedral of Sainte-Marie-Majeure
- Tip: If you're a seafood lover, don't miss the bouillabaisse, a traditional Provençal fish stew, at a seaside restaurant near the Old Port.
- The buses are wheelchair accessible.
- Ramps are available on the buses for easy access.
- These tickets can't be cancelled. However, you can use them any time until 14 August, 2025.
- These tickets are valid until 14 August, 2025.
Reviews
How do we collect reviews?
Snapshots from our guests
4.5
409 ratings
280
85
14
15
15
Guests from United Kingdom, United States, Australia and over 22 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
David
Apr 2025Verified booking
I didn't have an experience at all. I arrived at the bus stop near the cathedral at 9:55am. I realize that I was supposed to arrive 15 mintues earlier but something unexpected happened at the hotel and I was a few minutes late arriving. However, as I quickly rushed along the quai i did not see any bus at the stop. (I took a photo of the bus stop which includes the company sign). I figured a bus, or the same bus would return in an hour, so I hung out and sure enough, a few minutes after 11am a bus came along. I expected the driver to stop and when I realized he wasn't goint to stop I waved but he didn't even look my way!?! At that point I gave up and conducted my own walking tour of Marseille. (your review requires a selection to be made above, otherwise I could not submit the review. (They, of course, do not match my experience)
Mirela
Feb 2025Verified booking
ADILIO
Feb 2025Verified booking
Marie
Dec 2024Verified booking
As it was impossible for me to find my tickets, I went yo your office in Marseille and they could not find my reservation ! So I had to re-buy 2 tickets.
Meicer
Feb 2025Verified booking
It was our last day in Marsaille and we bought tickets for the hop on hop off bus for that day. We waited at the bus stop and no buses came so we went to their office and they said that the buses had been cancelled for that day.
Johanna
Jan 2025Verified booking
Unclear where to start and at what time. The starting point in the instruction is different from the one on te ticket (In French): the real time buses can be found in the app, but for that you need a QR code which is only available at the main bus stop/starting point. I took 1 hour extra: waiting at bus stop, getting of at the formal starting point to get a 'formal' receipt and wait for the next bus. App was confusing and did not work well. Audio info is limited. Not worth the money, since public transport takes the same route, costs 25% of the hop-on bus, without the hassle....
Deborah
Oct 2024Verified booking
So easy to jump on and off. The circuit was not too big making it easy to get around town. The commentary was also very good.
Marianne
Sep 2024Verified booking
The bus driver was great, he didn't touch any house fronts, very nice route along the coast and very narrow streets. It's also great that you can use your own headphones via a QR code.
View original review in German
Dorothy
Sep 2024Verified booking
Ticketing was easy. The bus was a good introduction to the City, as always when we land someplace new. Not as much commentary as we've come to expect, in contrast to, say, Edinburgh
Lavogez
Sep 2024Verified booking
On vacation in Marseille, we took the Colorbus to visit the city. We boarded at the old port, and the staff were very pleasant. After reserving a ticket on the Internet, we exchanged it for a ticket valid for the whole day. The tour has several stops. You get off wherever you want to visit the site you've chosen, and then get back on again at the same point, redeeming your ticket. It was a very pleasant visit. However, beware of branches if you get on the top floor of the bus.
View original review in French
jean-jacques
Sep 2024Verified booking
Full-day tour. Just a little problem with online registration. I never received confirmation....I had to chat it out with you.... Thanks
View original review in French
Daniela
Sep 2024Verified booking
Organizzare più fermate,soprattutto vicino il porto dei croceristi
Youssef
Dec 2024Verified booking
Anna
Nov 2024Verified booking
Carola
Nov 2024Verified booking
Monika
Nov 2024Verified booking
Seamus
Oct 2024Verified booking
Mylene
Oct 2024Verified booking
PETER
Sep 2024Verified booking
Bernard
Sep 2024Verified booking
Richard
Sep 2024Verified booking
LOLA
Sep 2024Verified booking
Danielle
Oct 2024Verified booking
Most hop on hop off buses provide earphones. This one didn't. I had to download a secondary app and listen to it on my phone. The app wasn't well synced with the actual things we were viewing and it could have provided more information about what we were seeing and the history of the places. The website says that the buses come every 20 minutes. It actually too much longer. This was the worst hop on hop off I've experienced.
Susan
Sep 2024Verified booking
We were warned to bring headphones but failed to notice that we had to download an app to listen to a disjointed description of SOME of the places of interest. It also implied it was going to be much longer than it actually was. Will not be recommending it.
Jose
Oct 2024Verified booking
Very expensive for the size of the city and points of interest.
View original review in Portuguese
MarseilleChateau d’If Tours
Your Château d'If Tickets Explained
With dedicated skip-the-line access to the château, you are guaranteed less waiting time. Spend your time instead, exploring the castle, its courtyard, and the infamous dungeons. Popular political prisoners like the Revolutionary hero Mirabeau and the Communards of 1871 were incarcerated here. You’ll even get to see the jail cell named after Edmond Dantès, from The Count of Monte Cristo. Fun fact: There is a hole in this vault leading to the next dungeon! On the first floor, you can enjoy a film on the history of the château. Later, walk around the island and take in picturesque views of Vieux Port. The ticket cannot be canceled, amended, or rescheduled. It does not include a ferry ride to and from the island.
What to See at Château d'If
History buffs and nature enthusiasts will particularly enjoy a visit to Château d'If. The castle has many tales to tell and offers stunning views of Vieux Port. With your skip-the-line tickets, here’s what you will get to see:
The Inner Courtyard and the Dungeons
The only way to enter the fortress is via the gate located in the middle of the east facade. Once you enter, you will see the inner courtyard that housed the kitchen, the grain store, and the rainwater well. Notice the commemorative graffiti on the walls of the courtyard, carved by insurgents in the 19th century. You’ll also get to see the dungeons and the cell named after Edmond Dantès, from The Count of Monte Cristo. In the dungeon named after Abbé Faria, there is video equipment that will let you see yourself locked up in there!
Famous Pistoles
The first floor is a testament to how the château started converting itself into a prison. Find here the cells (or pistoles) that held famous personalities such as that of the Count of Mirabeau. Watch out for the cell where the French General Jean-Baptiste Kléber’s embalmed body remained for 18 years, on Napoleon’s orders. Don’t miss out on seeing the death row dungeon built into the staircase!
The Terrace and its Towers
Fun fact: The terraces of Château d’If played a role in the Second World War as observation posts! Walk across these vast roofs and take in the many views they offer. From the Maugouvert Tower, you can see the reefs dotting the eastern bay channels. The 20th-century lighthouse is visible from Saint-Jaume Tower, and beyond it, the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde hill in Marseille. The south keep or Saint-Christophe Tower overlooks the Pomègues and Ratonneau islands.
Other Buildings
Unfortunately, nothing remains of the artillery, the powder stores, or the windmill. However, you can still explore the castle and see the Vauban building, which was the governor’s house. There is also an exhibition on the flora and fauna of the Frioul archipelago, only accessible from the outside of the château. The Florentine Door, above the entrance, features horizontal stakes that prevented climbing!
Plan Your Visit to Château d'If
Opening Hours
Getting There
Tips and Guidelines
What are Château d'If hours?
The château is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:30 AM to 5:15 PM. Please note: depending on the weather, Château d'If may not be open. Make sure to check online before visiting.
What is the best time to visit Château d'If?
The best time to visit Château d'If is from September to November (autumn). This is the off-season and frees up the beaches, attractions, and accommodations.
When is Château d'If closed?
The château is closed on Mondays.
How do I get to Château d'If?
Catch a Frioul If Express Shuttle from the Old Port in Marseille to the island of Frioul. Most of these ferries stop at Château d’If on the way. However, make sure you check the ferry schedule beforehand.
Are return transfers available with Château d'If tickets?
Ferry transfers are not included with the Château d'If ticket. You will have to buy them separately.
Where is Château d'If located?
Château d'If is located on the island of If, off the coast of Marseille. It is the smallest island in the Frioul archipelago. You can find the directions on Google Maps here.
Is the castle accessible to people with reduced mobility?
Unfortunately, it is not. There are 100 steps inside the castle, and the calade has 50 steps.
How difficult is it to navigate the terrain?
It is a rather hilly terrain. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as the ground can be slippery. Be mindful of the heat if you are visiting in the summer.
Are there any rules and restrictions at Château d'If?
It is forbidden to drink alcohol, and to throw stones at gulls or at ramparts and terraces.
Where can I get more information about the castle during my visit?
You can download the visitor app available for free on App Store and Google Play.
Château d'If: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Château d'If tickets available online now?
Yes, Château d'If tickets are available online. You can book your tickets on https://chateau-dif.marseille-billets.fr/
Do my Château d'If tickets include skip-the-line access?
Yes, your tickets to Château d'If include skip-the-line access.
What is the cancelation policy for Château d'If tickets?
Your tickets to Château d'If cannot be canceled, amended or rescheduled.
What are Château d'If hours?
The monument is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:30 AM to 5:15 PM. It is closed on Mondays. Please note: depending on the weather, Château d'If may not be open. Make sure to check online before visiting.
What is the best way to get to Château d'If?
Catch a Frioul If Express Shuttle from the Old Port in Marseille to the island of Frioul. Most of them stop at Château d’If on the way. However, make sure to check the schedule before you plan your visit.
Are guided tours of Château d'If available with my tickets?
No, guided tours of Château d'If available are not available with your tickets.
Are audio guides available for Château d'If tours?
No, audio guides are not available for Château d'If tours.
What is the best time to visit Château d'If?
The best time of the year to visit Château d'If (for ideal weather and to avoid the tourist season) is from September to November (autumn).
Do children get free entry into Château d'If?
Yes. Anyone aged 18 years and below gets free entry into Château d'If. Additionally, EU citizens up to the age of 26 years enjoy free admission.
From happy customers
Da
FranceJun, 2025
A must-do activity, it was very pleasant to take the ferry and then once at the château d'if, very instructive explanations of the site. Thanks for a great time
View original review in French
Tickets to Château d’If
Stephane
BelgiumMay, 2025
No complaints. A little too crowded for my taste, which made the visit a little less enjoyable, but otherwise it was perfect.
View original review in French
Tickets to Château d’If
Fiorini
FranceFeb, 2025
I booked my tickets online.
I received them by email in less than 5 minutes.
The château d'if is a wonderful excursion. The site is magnificent and the view of Marseille is splendid.
It was a very nice outing, I highly recommend it.
View original review in French
Tickets to Château d’If
Stefanie
Sep, 2024
Easy to book tickets, but we weren't sure if this was for the boat to Chateau d'If or for the entrance to the island. It turned out it was for the entrance of the island. Price very reasonable. The boat trip was 20 mins to get to Chateau d'If. Wonderful blue water of the Mediterranean, fantastic. The island is very small but interesting. I was mostly interested in the Count of Monte Cristo, a fictitious character, but there was a cell made up for the Count in the Chateau; and there were plaques of the real people who were incarcerated there. Absolutely great. We had a drink in the cafe, which was very nice, and after that we went for a walk around the island. It was an absolutely great day and we would do it again, if we ever go back to Marseille. Just wonderful xx
Tickets to Château d’If
Marjolein
Aug, 2023
We bought tickets but the castle was closed. I sent an email and they responded fast and refund our money. Excellent company. If there's an new opportunity I would book again.
Tickets to Château d’If
Martine
Jul, 2021
Je suis québécoise et mon passeport vaccinal n'étais pas reconnu à l'entrée. J'ai réussi à faire la visite grâce à la gentillesse du monsieur à l'entrée.
J'ai reçu deux vaccins!
Tickets to Château d’If
Deborah
AustraliaOct, 2024
So easy to jump on and off. The circuit was not too big making it easy to get around town. The commentary was also very good.
Colorbus: Marseille Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour
Dorothy
United StatesSep, 2024
Ticketing was easy. The bus was a good introduction to the City, as always when we land someplace new. Not as much commentary as we've come to expect, in contrast to, say, Edinburgh
Colorbus: Marseille Hop-on Hop-Off Bus Tour