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Riht off the coast of Marseille there are very special and unique geological formations which have attracted millions tourists to the coasts of France.

A calanque (or calanche as they are known in Corsican) is made up of a geologic formation in the form of a deep valley with steep slopes, while part of it is submerged in the sea.
The most popular examples of this formation can be found in the Massif des Calanques in the Bouches-du-Rhone departement. This range sprawls for 20 km in length and 4 km in width along the coast of Marseille and Cassis, the highest point is in Marseilleveyre (432 m) and Mont Puget (565 m). Similar formations can also be seen on the French Riviera and off the island of Corsica (see Calanches de Piana).

Many people know where the infamous Alkatraz is. But here, in Europe, we also have such a place – that is the small island of If , outside the Marseille port was the place where Count Monte Christo from the famous book lived his drama. This is a real historical place – the Château d'If, frightful fortress still keeps the spirit of the Middle Ages. Since 17-th century the castle started to be used by the authorities as prison for political prisoners. The famous novel Dumas tells of Edmond Dantes, who is a political prisoner managing a very brave escape from the dungeons of the castle. In reality, nobody is ever recorded to have escaped from the island alive.