View of Château d'If in the port of Marseille, France

© Sergii Figurnyi/Alam

Château d'If, Marseille, France

Imagine standing at the edge of the glistening Mediterranean Sea and gazing at the distant outline of Château d'If in France, stirring memories of adventure and intrigue immortalised in Alexandre Dumas', 'The Count of Monte Cristo.' This legendary fortress, dating back to the 16th century, stands proudly as a testament to its Renaissance origins, serving as both a bastion of defence and a somber prison. It was commissioned by King François I and is perched on a rugged island in the Frioul Archipelago, just off the coast of Marseille. Today, the captivating Château d’If is one of Marseille's many attractions, where the past seamlessly intertwines with contemporary culture.