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Salses Fortress: A Bastion of History

Explore a masterpiece of military architecture at Salses Fortress, a historic castle guarding the former frontier between France and Spain.

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The Fortress of Salses, a remarkable military structure in Salses-le-Château, France, stands as a testament to the Franco-Spanish conflicts of the late 15th century. Built by the Spanish to guard the border with France, this fortress showcases a unique blend of medieval castle design and early modern military architecture.

A brief summary to Salses Fortress

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes to explore the fortress's many levels and corridors.
  • Check the official website for special events, workshops, and evening visits, especially during the summer.
  • Visit in the off-season for a less crowded experience and closer parking.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Perpignan, take a train to Salses-le-Château station. Trains run regularly, and the journey takes approximately 14 minutes. From the station, the fortress is a 15-minute walk. Exit the station and head southwest on Rue de la Gare, then continue onto Rue des Fortifications until you reach the fortress. Alternatively, from Perpignan, take bus line 135 towards Salses-le-Château. Get off at Salses-le-Château, a 10-minute walk from the fortress. Train tickets cost approximately €3 - €7. Bus fares are around €2.

  • Taxi

    From Perpignan, a taxi or rideshare to Salses Fortress takes about 20 minutes. Taxi services are available in Salses-le-Château. The estimated cost is between €30 and €40, depending on traffic and the service used. Taxi charge in Salses-le-Château has a starting fee of €2.3, and the cost per kilometer starts from €0.92.

  • Car

    From Perpignan, take the N9 towards Narbonne. Alternatively, from Montpellier, take the A9 towards Perpignan and take exit 40 to Salses-le-Château. Follow the D900 road north, and then take the D12 towards Salses-le-Château. Parking is available near the fortress. There are free, unguarded parking spaces near the fortress and along the railroad line. A municipal parking lot is open all year, with charges and supervision from mid-June to mid-September. Parking is prohibited near the fortress.

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Discover more about Salses Fortress

Nestled between the Corbières Mountains and the Salses-Leucate pond in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, the Fortress of Salses is a captivating journey through military architecture and European history. Constructed by Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella of Castile between 1497 and 1503, the fortress was a strategic response to French incursions. Its location was chosen where an ancient Roman fort once stood. The fortress was designed by architect Ramiro Lopez, also captain of the Royal Artillery. Salses is a masterpiece of military engineering, marking a transition between the medieval castle and the modern bastion fort. Its design incorporated thick walls (around 10 meters), a wide moat, and advanced artillery platforms to withstand the impact of metal cannonballs. The fortress could house a garrison of 1,500 men. Over the centuries, Salses Fortress was besieged and captured multiple times, reflecting the ongoing power struggles between France and Spain. In 1642, it was finally taken by the French. The Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 officially moved the French-Spanish border, incorporating Salses into France. While the fortress lost its strategic importance, it was later renovated by Vauban, a famous military engineer, in 1691. Today, the Fortress of Salses is a monument historique operated by the Centre des monuments nationaux and welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors each year. Visitors can explore the fortress's complex layout, including its seven levels, maze of corridors, and defensive chicanes. Guided tours are available, providing insights into the fortress's history and architectural significance.

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