LA FORTERESSE DE SALSES
2025
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This impregnable fortress, capable of withstanding any attack, is a historical and architectural marvel to be discovered.
A masterpiece of military architecture. The edifice is a true specimen of the transition between the medieval castle and the modern geometrical, sunken fortress. It commanded the border between Roussillon, then part of Spain, and the kingdom of France. In the heart of the wine-growing plain, the huge brick and stone walls sink into the ground. The rectangular fort covers almost a hectare. It is surrounded by ditches 12 to 15 meters wide and 7 meters deep. The rampart is 12 meters thick, with only the top part protruding above ground level, to provide even greater resistance to artillery fire. It features the classic elements of medieval defensive architecture: moat, keep, loopholes, curtain walls and drawbridge. The living quarters under the parapet walk were designed for 1,500 men (the stables for 300 horses!). The seven-storey high keep was designed to house the governor.
Salses, gateway to Roussillon. Since ancient times, this highly strategic location on the Via Domitia, which led to Cadiz, has been a stronghold. But it was not until 1497 that King Ferdinand of Spain initiated plans for an impregnable fortress capable of withstanding cannonballs and all the latest innovations in the art of warfare. During the many conflicts between France and Spain, Salses changed hands frequently, until 1659, when the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed. Roussillon now belonged to Louis XIV's France.
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Opening time and information on LA FORTERESSE DE SALSES
The Salses dungeon is currently closed for security and refurbishment, but the lower sections are still accessible at an appropriate price. Open all year round. Closed 01/01, 01/05, 01/11, 11/11 and 25/12. Low season: open Tuesday to Sunday and on public holidays from 10am to 12:45pm (last visit at 12pm) and from 2pm to 5:15pm (last visit at 4:30pm). High season: Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. (last visit at 5.15 p.m.). Ticket office closes 45 min before the monument. Free admission for children under 18 (and for 18-26 year-olds who are European Union citizens or legal residents of non-European Union countries, disabled persons and accompanying adults, jobseekers with proof of employment, RSA, Pass Education). Adults: €7.50 (free for disabled persons and their companions, and for unemployed persons). Free for children under 18. Groups (20 people): €6 (accompanied by a tourism professional). Combined ticket for Fontfroide Abbey: €17.5. Tourism & Handicap label. Guided tour (terraces, keep, galleries only on guided tour). Parking available.
Members' reviews on LA FORTERESSE DE SALSES
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Très belle visite
A faire
Alors qu'elle est encore en travaux, la forteresse subit et résiste à un premier siège des Français de Louis XII en 1503. Au cours de ce siège aura lieu l'explosion de la première mine de guerre qui ait réussi et qui fera plusieurs centaines de victimes. Il est possible que cet épisode se soit déroulé dans la barbacane qui défendait une seconde porte d'accès aujourd'hui disparue, mais dont on observe encore l'emplacement dans les importantes reprises de maçonnerie de la courtine nord. Abandonnant ce bastion détaché qu'ils estimaient perdu, les Espagnols se seraient repliés dans le fort, après avoir piégé la barbacane avec des charges de poudre. Selon quelques chroniques de l'époque, 600 soldats français auraient été tués ou blessés dans l'explosion. C'est après ce siège infructueux et meurtrier que les Espagnols auraient procédé à la construction de l'épais talus de maçonnerie (que l'on appelle également « fruit ») qui habille à l'extérieur la base des courtines et des tours. Les postes de tir (petites canonnières et embrasures à arquebuses) qui perçaient les courtines en partie basse afin de défendre le fossé furent à cette occasion murées par ce talus et le couloir périphérique qui, depuis les caves de la forteresse, desservait ces postes de tir, fut transformé en galerie d'écoute et de contre-mine
Forteresse dans un très bon état de conservation