Frioul Islands, Mediterranean archipelago 4 kilometers from Marseille, France.
The Frioul archipelago near Marseille comprises four islands: Pomègues, Ratonneau, If, and Tiboulen, with the first two connected by a mole. The group offers varied landscapes featuring fortresses, ruins, and natural coastal formations that can be explored from the water or during visits.
The archipelago served as a maritime quarantine station during the 19th century, with the Hôpital Caroline built to isolate patients during yellow fever outbreaks. The islands played an important role in Marseille's health history and still bear traces of this medical past today.
These islands are deeply connected to literature through the Château d'If, which became world-famous from Alexandre Dumas' novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Visitors can still explore this fortress today and understand why it has inspired writers and artists for generations.
The islands are accessible by regular ferry service from Marseille's Vieux Port, taking approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Once there, pathways lead through the islands, though some areas can be slippery, so sturdy shoes are advisable, especially in damp conditions.
The archipelago houses the first organic sea bass farm in the world, a project demonstrating advanced aquaculture methods in Mediterranean waters. This experiment shows how modern fish farms can be operated sustainably.
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