Le Frioul islands, Marseille

The landscapes, flora and fauna of these islands have been miraculously preserved, even if you can get there easily by ferry from the Old Port.

If you love exceptional natural and historical heritage, the Frioul islands - Ratonneau and Pomègues - are the place to go. The islands are just off the tip of Marseille, so they have always played a strategic role in the city’s history. In the 17th century, they were used as a quarantine stopover for boats from Africa and the Far East. In addition, for several centuries, Frioul was occupied by the army and was used to either defend or threaten Marseille and today you can see several forts across the islands. In 1970 the islands were bought from the Ministry of Defence by the city of Marseille. Speaking about more recent times, in 2012 Frioul became an integral part of Les calanques national park.

Head over to discover natural heritage: the islands have spectacular landscapes shaped by the Mistral wind and the sea which also explain the unique flower species which have developed and the abundance of remarkable bird species, some of whose are extremely rare. In Ratonneau island be sure to visit the Caroline Hospital and the Saint Estève and Morgiret beaches. Be prepared for hiking and pack a swimsuit.

The Frioul islands consist of Ratonneau and Pomègues islands which are connected by a dyke. They are part of the bigger Frioul archipelago consisting of Ratonneau, Pomègues, Tiboulen and the famous island of If.

Frioul is accessible by ferry from the Old Port. Usually ferry boats go from the Vieux Port to Ile d'If and then to Le Frioul. It is possible to visit all of them, although it is recommended to spend an entire day in Ratonneau and Pomègues.

Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille
Le Frioul islands, Marseille

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