French immersion in Provence: discover Marseille and Château d’If

The Château d’If, made famous by The Count of Monte Cristo

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 for me.

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: immersion on the road

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.

View of Marseille’s Old Port and Notre-Dame de la Garde

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.

Crossing by boat: learning French with the Mediterranean

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.

Departure from Marseille’s Old Port to Château d’If

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 exactly what makes a French immersion in Provence so memorable.

Château d’If: a monument of 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.

The entrance to Château d’If, fortress built under François I

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 and can be visited as a museum—a must-see for anyone who wants to combine French culture, Provençal history and learning French through immersion.

Alexandre Dumas and the myth of The Count of Monte Cristo

If 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.

The legendary cell of Edmond Dantès, hero of The Count of Monte Cristo

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: vocabulary, emotions and literature

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.

A cell inside Château d’If: traces of its prison past

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

Marseille seen from the sea: breathtaking views

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

Panoramic view of Marseille and the sea from Château d’If

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.

Simple lunch, authentic immersion

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!

Gourmet burger served with crispy chips

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 a menu. Even this meal turned into a lively French lesson.

Friday night: French cinema and total 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.

Wood-fired pizza in a traditional Provençal oven

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

Conclusion: a French immersion between history and daily life

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.