The Frioul archipelago is four islands in the bay of Marseille: Ratonneau and Pomègues, the two large ones, joined by a sea wall; tiny If, with its fortress; and the islet of Tiboulen. For most visitors "going to Frioul" means taking the shuttle to the harbour of Port du Frioul and spending a day walking, swimming and doing very little — the city skyline on one side, the open Mediterranean on the other.
A little history
For centuries the islands were Marseille's first line of defence and its quarantine station. Ships from ports with plague or fever anchored off Pomègues before they were allowed into the city; in the 1820s the Digue de Berry joined the two main islands and the Hôpital Caroline was built on Ratonneau to isolate the sick. The army kept batteries and forts here until the 20th century. In the 1970s a marina and a small residential village, Port du Frioul, were built between the islands, and in 2012 much of the archipelago became part of the Calanques National Park.
What to do
- Swim at the beach of Saint-Estève or in the calanques of Ratonneau and Pomègues — see Frioul beaches.
- Walk up to the Hôpital Caroline for the view of the Château d'If and the city.
- Explore the forts and batteries on the heights, and the long spine of Pomègues.
- Snorkel over rocks and seagrass meadows in some of the clearest water near Marseille.
- Eat by the harbour in season, or bring a picnic.
| Getting there | Details |
|---|---|
| Public shuttle | From the Quai de la Fraternité, Vieux-Port; about 30 minutes direct |
| Combined ticket | Stop at the Château d’If, then continue to Frioul on the same day |
| Cruise with swim | Anchors in a Frioul cove; no landing at the port |
| Last boat back | Late afternoon or early evening, depending on season — check the timetable |
Small-group boat trip from €59 Marseille: Boat to Le Frioul, Château d'If, and Swim
The most-reviewed boat trip on this page. You leave from near the MuCEM and sail round the Château d'If and along the wild coves of the Frioul islands, with the story of the Count of Monte Cristo on the way, then stop to swim and snorkel. It circles the fortress rather than landing there — book an entry ticket separately if you want to go inside.
- Close-up views of the Château d'If from the water
- Swim stop in a turquoise Frioul cove
- Masks and snorkels provided; group limited to 11
Catamaran cruise from €72 Marseille: Catamaran to the Frioul Islands, Swimming and Snacks
A relaxed three-hour catamaran outing to the Frioul archipelago with a long stop at anchor for swimming, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling, and snacks served on board.
- Long anchorage in a Frioul cove
- Paddleboard and snorkelling
- Snacks on board
Morning boat trip from €51 Cruise, Coffee and Swimming in the Calanques of Frioul
A morning cruise out to the Frioul archipelago with a swim in one of its coves and a light breakfast-style snack on board, back by the end of the morning — leaving the afternoon free for the city.
- Marseille seen from the sea in the morning light
- Swim stop in a Frioul cove
- Coffee or tea, juice and a small snack
Catamaran cruise from €79 Marseille: Calanques Catamaran Tour & Stand-up Paddle
A lively catamaran trip that takes in the Vallon des Auffes, passes the Château d'If and anchors in the Frioul calanques, with paddleboards, snorkelling gear and a GoPro on board and a diving board on the roof. Over a thousand reviews and a 4.8 rating.
- Vallon des Auffes, the Château d'If and the Frioul calanques
- Stand-up paddle and snorkelling gear included
- Diving board on the catamaran roof
Evening sailing cruise from €80 Marseille: Evening Sailboat Cruise to the Frioul Calanques with Buffet and Wine
An evening on a sailing boat: a swim stop in the Frioul archipelago, a buffet dinner with organic wine as the light goes, and the return to port with the city lit up. One of the best-rated evening options in Marseille.
- Swim in a Frioul cove
- Dinner on board as the sun sets
- Marseille lit up on the way back
Evening boat cruise from €75 Marseille: Sunset Boat Cruise with Buffet and Wine
A sundown boat cruise with a Mediterranean buffet dinner on board and, before the sun sets, a swim by the calanques of the Frioul islands. Nearly 600 reviews with a 4.7 average.
- Swim stop by the Frioul calanques
- Mediterranean buffet on board
- Sunset over the bay
Combining Frioul with the Château d'If
The best plan for a full day: take an early boat to If, visit the fortress for an hour or so, then catch the next boat on to Port du Frioul. Walk to the Hôpital Caroline before the heat, swim at Saint-Estève or a quieter cove, have a late lunch at the harbour and take an afternoon boat back to the Vieux-Port. Make sure your ticket covers both islands.
Practical tips
- No shade. The islands are bare limestone. Take a hat, sun cream, a sunshade if you have one and plenty of water.
- Good shoes. The paths are stony and the rocks sharp; water shoes help in the coves.
- Services are seasonal. In winter, few or no cafés may be open — bring food.
- National park rules. No fires, stay on paths, respect closed areas and take your rubbish home.
- The wind. The Frioul harbour is more sheltered than If, but strong Mistral still affects crossings and makes the islands uncomfortable.
- Cars. There are none for visitors — the islands are explored on foot.
Frioul by boat tour
If you would rather not walk in the heat, a Frioul cruise is an excellent alternative: most circle the Château d'If, anchor in a cove for swimming and snorkelling, and some add paddleboards, snacks or a sunset dinner.