TheFrioul Arch ipelago is an archipelago consisting of four islands located just 4 km off the coast of Marseille.
If you are in Marseille, you should not miss the opportunity to discover theFrioul Archipelago, composed of 4 beautiful islands. Frioul is derived from the Provençal word “frieu,” meaning a sea passage.
TheFrioul archipelago is an archipelago consisting of four islands located just 4 km off the coast of Marseille and forming part of the Calanques National Park.
The toponym Frioul comes from the Provençal word “frieu,” meaning a maritime passage. This evidently refers to the stretch of sea that separates Pomègues from Ratonneau. Today the two islands are connected by a dam erected during the reign of Louis XVIII.
The four islands that comprise it are:
POMÈGUES
Pomègues is the largest island in the archipelago and certainly the wildest and most authentic.
Here you can take a walk to the Fort de Pomègues or the Poméguet Tower, or head to some of the most beautiful beaches in the archipelago to relax and swim.
Some of the most beautiful coves include Calanque du Cap Frioul, Calanque de l’Huile and Calanque de Crine.
RATONNEAU
Ratonneau Island is the most urbanized island in the archipelago, and it is here that the marina of Port Frioul is located. The village was built in 1974 and today houses some bars, restaurants, stores and hotels.
Among the island’s beaches is Saint-Estève beach. This is the most popular beach because it is family-friendly and has crystal-clear waters.
In addition to the beaches, there are other things to see on the island, such as the Batterie du Cap de Croix, the Hôpital Caroline de Ratonneau, used in the 19th century to keep yellow fever patients quarantined, and the Fort de Ratonneau, built in 1886, and located on the island’s main point at the top.
IF
If is the smallest of the Frioul islands and is almost entirely occupied by the castle of the same name: it is a kind of rocky islet in the middle of the sea.
The island of If is famous thanks to the French writer Alexandre Duma,s who imagined the protagonist of his novel The Count of Monte Cristo as a prisoner here.
It is one of the most visited sites in Marseille, classified as a historical monument on July 7, 1926. The castle was built between 1524 and 1531 by Francis I to protect the city of Marseille from invasion by sea.
The castle later served as a state prison: it housed the famous prisoner José Custodio Faria, made immortal by Alexandre Dumas, author of The Count of Monte Cristo.
TIBOULEN DU FRIOUL
Tiboulen du Frioul, is simply an islet that houses a beacon.
Diving enthusiasts are familiar with this islet at the western end of Ratonneau. The underwater relief, currents and the fact that the archipelago is sheltered from easterly winds encourage a wide variety of flora and fauna. Nearby, a little deeper, the wreck of a World War II German bomber also attracts experienced divers.