Marseille’s Château d’If: French Immersion and the Count of Monte Cristo

Did you know that a short ferry ride from Marseille is an archipelago of islands? There are four islands in the Iles de Frioul archipelago, and ferries run from the Vieux Port regularly during the summer months. You can easily spend a day hiking the trails or lounging on the beaches of Ratonneau. The smallest island, Château d’If, with a fortress-prison and “home” of the fictional Count of Monte Cristo. Virginie Van Der Wess visited Marseille and the Château d’If with her French immersion students. Please read the description of their visit below, along with some French vocabulary.

Marseille Visitor’s Guide

I’ve always been a huge fan of The Count of Monte Cristo. When the new movie was released in 2024, I went to see it with my brother Alex and my eldest son Léo. We loved it so much that we went back a second time. Since then, we’ve watched it several more times at home because we bought the film.

And I have to confess something: Pierre Niney, who plays Edmond Dantès, is absolutely amazing. He even reminds me of my husband, which makes the character even more unforgettable.

This novel by Alexandre Dumas has always fascinated me. Even though it’s fiction, it feels so real. Marseille exists, Château d’If exists, and when you visit it during a French immersion in Provence (séjour linguistique en Provence), you feel like you’re walking in Edmond Dantès’ footsteps.

It’s a universe I absolutely love!

That’s why I wanted to share this with Jon and Marie, my students on a French immersion stay in Provence, so we headed to Marseille that week.

From Rousset to Marseille

One morning, we left Rousset, the village where I live with my family. As always, the road turned into a rolling classroom. My students know that every drive is part of their French immersion lesson.

Arriving in Marseille, we had to find a place to park, as always here, that’s a challenge—but part of the city’s charm! We headed straight to the Old Port of Marseille, where boats depart for Château d’If.

A Ferry Crossing

We bought our tickets and waited under the January sun. The boat trip itself was already magical: the sea breeze, the cries of the seagulls, the reflections of the sun on the Mediterranean.

During the excursion, I taught Jon and Marie vocabulary related to the sea: embarcadère (dock), traversée (crossing), prendre le large (to set sail). This kind of lived experience is precisely what makes a French immersion in Provence so memorable.

Château d’If History and Legend

Standing on its rocky island 1.5 km off Marseille, Château d’If rises like a fortress. Built in 1524 under François I, it was meant to defend the city from naval invasions. In reality, it was quickly turned into a state prison.

For nearly four centuries, Protestants, political opponents and criminals were locked up there. Its isolation made it an almost impossible prison to escape from.

Today, Château d’If is a classified historical monument. It can be visited as a museum—a must-see for anyone who wants to combine French culture, Provençal history and learning French through immersion.

The Count of Monte Cristo: A Myth

If the Château d’If is famous worldwide, it’s thanks to Alexandre Dumas. In 1844, he published The Count of Monte Cristo, the story of Edmond Dantès, unjustly imprisoned here before escaping and returning to take revenge.

Dumas, one of the most translated French authors, is also the mind behind The Three Musketeers and La Reine Margot. His adventurous novels continue to captivate millions of readers around the world.

For Jon and Marie, listening to this story in French, right where it is set, gave their immersion experience a unique dimension. This is what a French immersion in Provence is all about: learning the language through culture and local stories.

An immersive visit

Inside the fortress, we discovered the narrow cells and stone staircases. Jon compared the place to Alcatraz, but noted that the atmosphere was different: the Mediterranean surrounding the island somehow softened the mood.

We worked on words like prisonnier (prisoner), s’évader (to escape), and perdre sa liberté (to lose one’s freedom). In this context, vocabulary sticks much more naturally.

From the ramparts, the view was spectacular: the Old Port, the hills, and the basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde watching over the city.

Jon and Marie took photos, and so did I. That’s exactly what a French immersion in Provence is: learning French while living unforgettable experiences and discovering the local culture.

Lunch in the City

Back in the city, we had lunch together. Marseille is known for its bouillabaisse and daube provençale, but that day we just felt like having… a burger!

And that too is part of a French immersion in Provence: sharing simple everyday moments, just like French families do. That day, Marie learned how to order from a menu. Even this meal turned into a lively French lesson.

Movie Night Immersion

At our house, Friday night means pizza and TV. That week, we watched The Count of Monte Cristo with Jon and Marie. The version we had was entirely in French. It was a real challenge for them, but also an excellent listening exercise.

They loved it and told me they would like to watch it again at home to gain a deeper understanding. The immersion continued, even outside the cultural visits!

French Immersion Holiday

This excursion to Château d’If left a mark on Jon and Marie: the boat crossing, the historical visit, Dumas’ novel, and even watching the movie in French.

If you’re looking for a French immersion in Provence—a unique language stay combining culture, history and daily life—discover my programs on Virginie in Provence.

Saint-Tropez - Jewel of the French Riviera: Full day tour with a winery visit

Spend your day as a movie star in Saint-Tropez! The departure is set early in the morning to avoid the traffic towards the legendary town, with which a thousand stories are associated. The experience will start with a tour of this enchanting small fishing town of Saint-Tropez, which inspired numerous painters and whose beauty of the port always attracted the cinematographic world.

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Virginie Van Der Wees

Virginie Van Der Wees lives with her young family near the Montagne Sainte Victoire, a short 20-minute drive from Aix-En-Provence. She is a masseuse and a certified French teacher for non-French speakers. Since 2018, Virginie puts together full immersion experiences that include hosting and supporting language learners at their family home.

The Virginie in Provence curriculum allows students to build on their knowledge and move to the next level and beyond – all while enjoying the wonders that Provence has to offer. Suitable for any age group, Virginie offers adapted, tailor-made solutions for clients who are moving to Provence. This program allows them to improve their French and overcome cultural changes. Virginie also provides classic French lessons and cooking lessons (in French) online or at the client’s home.