A French island chain historically used as a quarantine center is once again deserted because of the coronavirus. Here's what it's like inside.

An abandoned building is pictured on Ratonneau island in Frioul, southern France, Saturday, April 18, 2020AP Photo/Daniel Cole

• An island chain off the coast of Marseille, southern France, was historically used to quarantine sick people during past epidemics.
• The Frioul archipelago was used to house people suffering from illnesses like the plague or yellow fever to protect the mainland, according to the Associated Press.
• Now, the 150 residents on the island are isolated because of the coronavirus lockdown.
• Take a look at what the island looks like now.
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Hundreds of years ago, France's Frioul archipelago served as a quarantine center for epidemics. Now the coronavirus pandemic is isolating the island chain's 150 residents, making them relive the past, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The four islands, located 2 miles off the southern port city of Marseille, to house people suffering from illnesses like the plague and yellow fever. This was an effort to protect the French mainland from deadly outbreaks.

In 1720, sick crews during the Great Plague of Marseille went to the archipelago and then again in 1821 during a yellow fever epidemic.

Now, the islands' 150 residents — mostly retirees — are feeling isolated once more as they can't leave during the coronavirus lockdown, the AP reported.

Here's what it looks like.