# Frioul islands, Marseille > The Frioul islands are a small archipelago of white limestone rock a few kilometres off Marseille, where locals come to swim and walk. The two main islands, Ratonneau and Pomègues, are joined by a dyke with a little harbour and cafés beside it. All around are coves of clear turquoise water, clifftop paths, seabirds and views of the Château d'If and the city. Since 2012 the islands have been part of Calanques National Park. The boat from the Old Port takes about 20–30 minutes; allow half a day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/frioul-islands - City: [Marseille](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille), France - YesGo score: 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Opening hours: Islands by day, on the boat timetable - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Free; boat by ticket - Boat: From the Old Port, ≈ 20–30 minutes - Area: ≈ 200 ha, 4 islands - Beaches: Small pebble and rock coves - Duration: ≈ half a day - Location: ≈ 4 km off the Marseille coast - Coordinates: 43.27549, 5.30665 - Facts checked: 12.11.2026 ## Key facts - **4** — islands in the archipelago (source: English Wikipedia) - **200 ha** — total area (source: English Wikipedia) - **1822** — the dyke between Ratonneau and Pomègues built (source: English Wikipedia) - **2012** — the islands joined the national park (source: French Wikipedia) ## About the Frioul islands The Frioul archipelago is four islands at the mouth of the Bay of Marseille: **Ratonneau**, **Pomègues**, the **Île d'If** with its famous castle and tiny Tiboulen. Together they cover about 200 hectares and count as one of Marseille's districts. The name comes from the Provençal word 'friou', a strait between two islands. In 1822 Ratonneau and Pomègues were joined by the **Berry dyke**, turning a sheltered anchorage used since Roman times into a proper harbour. Today it has a boat quay, yachts, a few cafés and a small settlement. Since **2012** the islands' land has been in the core of Calanques National Park. ## What to see - **Frioul harbour** — by the dyke, with cafés and yachts. - **Ratonneau's coves** — clear water for swimming. - **Clifftop paths** — white rocks and views of Marseille. - **Hôpital Caroline** — a 19th-century building on the hill. - **The Île d'If** — Monte Cristo's castle next door. - **Seabirds** — gull colonies on the cliffs. ## Coves and beaches The main reason to come is **swimming**. Around Ratonneau and Pomègues are dozens of little coves with pebble beaches and flat rocks to slip into the water from. The water is noticeably clearer than at the city beaches, so you can see the bottom and the fish; bring a mask. The coves nearest the harbour fill first, so it's worth walking 15–30 minutes along the path, as the far corners are almost empty even in summer. There's hardly any sand and little shade, so bring a mat, a parasol or a hat. > **Before you go** Boats to Frioul leave from the **Old Port** and often call at the **Île d'If**, so buy a combined ticket and see both in a day. There are almost no shops on the islands: bring water, food and sunscreen. In strong wind (the mistral) sailings may be cancelled, so check the timetable in the morning. ## Walks and nature **Paths** run above the sea across the islands: from the white limestone cliffs you can see Marseille, Notre-Dame de la Garde, the Château d'If and the open sea. Ratonneau is 2.5 kilometres long, easy to walk round in a couple of hours. The islands are a refuge for **seabirds**: thousands of yellow-legged gulls nest on the cliffs, along with some rare species. Typical plants of the Provençal coast grow here, many of them protected. Stay on the paths and keep away from nests in spring. ## Hôpital Caroline On the hill of Ratonneau stands a large colonnaded building, the former **Hôpital Caroline**, built in 1823–1828 by the architect Michel-Robert Penchaud. Travellers arriving in Marseille were sent here for quarantine when ports feared epidemics. Today the hospital has been partly restored by city and community groups, and its courtyard has hosted summer concerts and cultural events. The building has one of the best views over the islands and the harbour. ## The harbour and village A small **Frioul village** has grown up by the Berry dyke: a few homes, a marina, and cafés and restaurants with terraces over the water. You can have fish for lunch or just a coffee watching the boats, but the choice is small, and many places close out of season. From the harbour you can see how the archipelago fits together: Ratonneau with the hospital on its hill on one side, long and almost deserted Pomègues on the other, and the dyke between them that you can walk across from one island to the other. Pomègues has fewer people and wilder coves, so many head there. ## How to get there 1. By boat from the Old Port (Quai de la Fraternité), 20–30 minutes. 2. Many sailings stop at the Île d'If. 3. To the quay in Marseille, metro M1 to Vieux-Port. 4. Back on the timetable; check the last sailing in advance. ## Tips for your visit Allow half a day for Frioul, up to a full day with swimming and walking. A morning boat lets you claim the best cove and get back before the worst of the heat. The islands pair naturally with the [Château d'If](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/chateau-d-if) on one ticket and a stroll round the [Old Port](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/vieux-port) when you return. With small children, the coves near the harbour are easiest. The paths are rocky, so wear closed shoes; it's hard going with a pushchair. Take your rubbish home. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Check the weather and boats - [ ] Buy a ticket that includes If - [ ] Bring water, food and sunscreen - [ ] Pack a mask for swimming - [ ] Wear closed shoes ## Places in Marseille: compare and choose Places in Marseille rated by YesGo. - [Frioul islands](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/frioul-islands) — YesGo score 29/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free; boat by ticket - [Cassis](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/cassis) — YesGo score 26/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free - [Calanques](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/calanques) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free; Sugiton by booking in summer - [Martigues](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/martigues) — YesGo score 23/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h 30 min · Free - [La Ciotat](https://yesgo.io/france/marseille/la-ciotat) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Free ## Don't mix it up The Frioul islands off Marseille have nothing to do with the Italian region of Friuli; the name is Provençal for 'strait'. ## Tips - Take a morning boat. - Combine with If. - Bring water and food. - Pack a mask. ## Questions ### How do I get to the Frioul islands? By boat from Marseille's Old Port, 20–30 minutes. ### Can you swim on the Frioul islands? Yes, in coves with clear water; the beaches are mostly pebbles. ### Can I combine Frioul and the Château d'If? Yes, many boats call at both on one ticket. ### Are there shops on the islands? Only a few cafés by the harbour, so bring food and water. ### How long do I need on Frioul? Half a day, up to a full day with swimming and walking. ## How we checked Facts from English and French Wikipedia. Boat times and fares weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Frioul archipelago - French Wikipedia: Îles du Frioul, Ratonneau and Hôpital Caroline --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.