Chateau d’If – Count of Monte Cristo – Marseille France
David and I have both been working so hard over the last two week, and trying to catch up at work from all our summer travels. All this hard work has us reflecting on our past travel and working hard toward our current travels.
We are sharing a previous trip we took a few years back to Marseille, France and Chateau d’If. David insisted we go to the prison where the Count of Monte-Cristo (a mythical book published in 1844) was based. David loves the book of the man, Edmond Dantes, who makes a wonderful comeback from prison to a Count with revenge. David loved the book so much he insisted I watch the movie together prior to our trip, and I was impressed as well.
We purchase our tickets and take the taxi boat over to the island, it is a crystal aquamarine blue and green Mediterranean sea, contrasted by a harsh rock island.
The island was the extreme of beauty of views and horror of prison all in one site. We take our own tour, even though you could be guided. What stood out the most to me is the scratches inside the prison walls of time and dates and symbols. I could feel the sense of lost hope and despair all the way to my bones between the prison walls. While just a few steps up on the prison roof and grounds and beauty of the surrounding sea and weather was amazing. What a contrast. David and I soak in the surroundings and stop for a conversation of the site and to enjoy each other in the moment. We toasted the sea, the prison and how blessed we are to be together. Marseille, France in the background with a toast of coffee and wine.
Interesting trip. I loved the reflections. We hardly take time out in life to enjoy moments. Thanks for sharing your moments so well spent in such a space and with each other
David and I, like so many have had a rough past before we met, so we decided to never let that affect our happiness for each other or are families. It was a decision to hold to and we are enjoying life like a dream.
Great for you two. If so many others will take the same approach? What a different world this will be. Happiness, long life and best health to you both
Oh my goodness! I can not get over the beauty of those waters! Wow. I can only imagine your breath was stolen right out of your body when you stood there together.
It is fascinating to me as well – the stark contrast of the prison with the natural beauty around it. It must have made being in that prison all the more hellish.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful trip with us!
one of my all-time favorite books, perhaps even THE favorite. So I loved reading about and seeing these photos of what the book was based on. Now I’ll have to watch the movie.
Rozina, it was incredible, hot and sunny, but a wonderful breeze, views from every angle, then we walked into the jail itself and was cold tortured feeling, chilling, a physical feeling of hate wrapped into the walls. Like Heaven
Wow! I would really love to see that place! Ever since I read that book in my childhood it has stuck with me, and Edmond Dantés remains a role model (aside from the vengeance part) to this day. Hope you had a great time there!
We really did, when we got home, we re-watched the movie. The location was hot, but breezy, cool inside the stone walls of the prison. The views were stunning. You could feel the love and hate of the location when standing there looking at it.
Dave and Lauras Dream 
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