aujourd'hui 12h
What if you chose the Frioul archipelago instead of the overcrowded calanques? Just as pretty, the Frioul archipelago lets you escape the city in just a few minutes. Small wild coves, rocky paths, a panorama over the whole city... Frioul is a stop you shouldn't miss during your stay in Marseille.
On land, you must avoid trampling the (very rare) vegetation, and bring back litter and cigarette butts. Camping, bivouacking, picking plants and vegetation, riding a bicycle, and rock climbing are prohibited. No fires are allowed.
At sea, same rules. You must respect the 300-metre strip where jet skis are prohibited, maximum speed is limited to 5 knots, and during your dives no wild fishing and no damage to wildlife. In short, Frioul is subject to strict regulations.
There is no cash machine on site.
Stroller access is complicated.
La Métropole le Bateau (ex Frioul If Express) provides the service, departing from the Vieux Port of Marseille (Quai des Belges), to the islands of If and Frioul all year round.
Three shuttles are put into service: Chevalier Paul, Edmond Dantès and Henri-Jacques Espérandieu, providing daily, throughout the year, connections to the islands. In addition to their comfort, they offer safety conditions, accessibility for travellers, and meet the new requirements in terms of respect for the environment.
Icard Maritime also provides a service for the Easter holidays through to those of All Saints' Day inclusive. This private company has six shuttles, but not necessarily all of them assigned to this service.
The shuttles operate all year round, with a first departure as early as 6:30 a.m. and returns from the Frioul archipelago until 9 p.m. in winter, 10 p.m. from April, and even 11 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and the evenings before public holidays in summer.
Watch out for crowds on beautiful days for the return from Frioul. The late-afternoon shuttles are often packed to capacity to get back toward the Vieux-Port, sometimes forcing you to take the next one. Unfortunately, there is not yet a system to reserve a seat on the return shuttle. Coming with your picnic and dining on site can be a good alternative to leave calmly in the evening.
> The details of the shuttle schedules for La Métropole le Bateau:
https://lebateau-frioul-if.fr/horaires
For Icard Maritime
> https://www.calanques-if.com/
Warning: on windy days and in particular with the mistral, there is no service to the Château d'If. Indeed, the small quay is very exposed to waves and does not allow access in calm sea conditions. It is therefore important to check on the websites of the shipping companies and the Château d'If whether access is open or not.
The château closes at 6 p.m. from April to the end of September, and at 5 p.m. for the rest of the year. Shuttle times therefore adjust to these opening hours.
The last departure from the Vieux Port for the Château d'If is therefore at 4:05 p.m. during the summer period.
> The details of the shuttle schedules for La Métropole le Bateau :
https://lebateau-frioul-if.fr/horaires
For Icard Maritime
Departures from the Vieux Port from 10:15 a.m. from April to October, then every hour.
Returns from the island of If from 11:45 a.m. every hour, until 6:15 p.m. (April > 1st October) or 5:15 p.m. in October and November.
Schedule details:
> https://www.calanques-if.com/
Fares for the maritime shuttles for 2026
Round-trip journey to one island with the shuttles of La Métropole le Bateau:
Vieux Port <> Frioul island
or Vieux Port <> If island
Round trip: 17.70€ (up 60% compared with 2025! ) For residents of the Métropole, the fare is 11.10€
(one-way fare 9.60€)
"Evening" round trip departing from 7 p.m. (valid from 1 July to 30 September): 5.60€
Combined journey: Vieux Port <> If island <> Frioul island (visit of both islands)
"Combined" round trip: 26€ (Métropole residents: 16.70€)
"Combined - family" round trip: 12.50€
"Combined - group" round trip: 23.70€
Some promotions are possible:
"Family" round trip (from 4 paying people including at least 1 child aged 4 to 12): 8.30€ / person
"Group" round trip (10 people): 15.900€
No solo discount for young people or students.
Free for children under 4 years old.
The payment methods accepted are cash (bills over 50€ are not accepted) and bank cards (VISA or MasterCard). Cheques are no longer accepted.
Contact for the maritime company La Métropole le Bateau
Tel: 04 91 22 41 22
https://lebateau-frioul-if.fr/
Icard Maritime fare (Château d'If shuttle only)
Vieux Port <> If island
Single fare of 14 € + entry to the island for 7 €
Single fare, no discounts. Children under 4 travel for free but they must have a transport ticket. Without this, access to board will be refused.
This includes a "short walk" between the Vieux Port and the Château d'If island, of around fifty minutes.
Bookings are made directly at the ticket office, on the day itself.
Icard ticket office address: at the corner of the Port quay and the Quai des Belges
Contact for Icard Maritime
Tel: 04 91 33 36 79
https://www.calanques-if.com/fr/tarifs-reservation
Warning: entry to the Château d'If is paid, you need to add 7€ for an adult and 5.50€ for the reduced rate. By presenting a TGV ticket less than 5 days old, you can benefit from the reduced fare at 5.50€. All details:
The boarding point is on the Vieux Port, by the canopy, at the corner between Quai de Rive Neuve and Quai de la Fraternité / Quai des Belges.
For the Vieux Port, in the event of exceptional events (14 July, major festive gatherings...), the shuttle departures may be moved near the Mucem. Find out in these cases.
Maritime vessels and boarding points are accessible to wheelchair users, but access to the Château d'If is not.
