Military architecture - Pyrénées

Press Release 3-6
Pyrénées-Orientales
Welcome to the Mediterranean Pyrenees!
Culture&
Herita g e
I N F O R M AT I O N
Military architecture
In 1659, the north Catalan counties (Roussillon-Vallespir-Conflent-Capcir and part of
Cerdagne) fall under the authority of the King of France.
Réseau Culturel/Terre Catalane
10, rue du Théâtre
BP 60244
66002 Perpignan Cedex
Tel. +33 (0)4 68 64 93 54
[email protected]
Contact
Claire Bertrand and her team
Salses Fortress
Tel. +33 (0)4 68 38 60 13
[email protected]
Association “Réseau des Sites Majeurs
de Vauban” (Network of Vauban’s Major Sites)
Tel. +33 (0)3 81 87 82 19
[email protected]
Now, the dividing line between the kingdoms of France and Spain no longer passes in
the Corbières, but in the Pyrenees. Salses, which protected the old frontier of the Spanish
side, loses its strategic importance. From 1659 to 1667, Louis XIV has little interest in
defending Roussillon. In 1669, the revolt of the Angelets against the introduction of the
salt tax convinces him to build extensive defences around Villefranche-de-Conflent.
Indeed, the revolt has highlighted the importance of controlling the Vallespir and Conflent
territories leading to the plain of Roussillon. Louis XIV is now determined to keep
Roussillon and to develop an invulnerable defence system. In 1679, Vauban visits the
province and prepares the draft for a vast strong place at the gateway of Cerdagne,
which he names Mont-Louis. While the main objective in Villefranche is to build a fort,
only a few alterations are to be made in Collioure. In Prats-de-Mollo, the engineer
suggests raising the city’s walls and expanding the Fort Lagarde. For Fort de Bellegarde
at Perthus, the new frontier, he is inspired by a Spanish project and designs a vast
fortification. In Port-Vendres, he plans to undertake substantial works. But his most
ambitious project, next to Mont-Louis, is reserved to Perpignan. Indeed, in 1680 he plans
to modernise the stronghold by strengthening the existing fortifications, thus isolating the
city from its surroundings. However, for various geopolitical reasons, these works could
not all be completed.
VAUBAN’s four trips in Roussillon
Sources and bibliography
L’Encyclopédie du Pays Catalan,
published by Privat,
Le Guide du Patrimoine Languedoc Roussillon,
published by Hachette,
La forteresse de Salses,
published by Patrimoine,
Dépliant La Route Vauban, by Yves Hoffmann,
Les fortifications de Vauban, by Alain Ayats,
Collection Routes et Chemins,
published by Trabucaire,
Vauban et le Pays Catalan, by Jean Michel
with photographs by Reynal Castillo,
published by Privat
Internet links
www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com
www.cg66.fr
www.vauban.asso.fr
www.monuments-nationaux.fr
www.sites-vauban.org
http://mont-louis.net/accueil.htm
www.villefranchedeconflent.fr
Reference to other information sheets
Romanesque art, Gothic art, Baroque art,
City and Country of art and history,
The most beautiful villages in France.
In 1678, Sébastien Le Prestre, Marquis de Vauban (1633-1707) officially became
commissaire-général des fortifications (general commissioner of the fortifications of the
Kingdom) on the death of the Chevalier de Clerville. In fact, he undertook his tasks as
soon as 1668. A tireless worker, he travelled throughout France to visit the strong
places, inspect the works and establish projects and plans. He will make four trips in
Roussillon (1669, 1679, 1680 and 1686). Although there is sometimes a tendency to
exaggerate his role, most fortresses built during the reign of the “Sun King” (Louis XIV)
bear his mark.
• 2007: Celebration of the Tercentenary of Vauban’s death
• 2008: Mont-Louis and Villefranche-de-Conflent are listed UNESCO World Heritage
Sites
Where to find military architecture in the Pyrénées-Orientales?
• Amélie-les-Bains: Fort Amélie (17th century), an element of the border defence
system created by Vauban to block the access road to Spain. (Private property).
• Castelnou: A fortified village founded just before 994 A.D. Fortifications dating from
the 13th century. Signal towers outside the walls. Castle of the 11th century.
• Céret: Remnants of the 14th century fortifications with boulevards lining the walls
remarkable for their plane trees. “Maison & Porte de France” (on Place de la
République, near the city wall in the north-west), is a house dating from the mid-19th
century and former home of the Porte de France (Gate of France), the northern gate
of the fortified city.
• Collioure: The castle, also named "Castle of the Knights Templar", is the former
summer residence of the Kings of Majorca, and is encircled by a 17th century
fortified wall. Fort St. Elme: Built in 1654 by Charles V (Private property). Fort
Miradou (17th century) is military property.
PRESS SERVICE
Pyrénées-Orientales Tourist Board
Pascale Gimenez > Tel. +33 (0)4 68 51 52 68 - [email protected]
Martine Caudine > Tel. +33 (0)4 68 51 52 58 - [email protected]
Pyrénées-Orientales Tourist Board
16, avenue des Palmiers - CS 80540
66005 Perpignan Cedex - France
Tel. +33 (0)4 68 51 52 53
www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com
Pyrénées-Orientales
Welcome to the Mediterranean Pyrenees!
• Corbère: 12th century castle (Private property).
• Ille-sur-Têt: The fortified enclosure of Ille, built in the 14th century,
is largely intact and often hidden by terraced houses and walls.
One can still see three gates and several sections of curtain
walls with theirs walkways.
• Les Cluses: Remains of the Roman Fort and the Visigoth fortress
called “Château des Maures” (Castle of the Moors).
• Maury: Medieval Castle of Quéribus (the last refuge of the
Cathars in the Corbières region).
• Montalba-le-Château: 12th century castle. (Private property).
• Mont-Louis: Military fortress, ramparts, fortified city of the 17th
century. Ancient fortress built by Vauban. Permanently accessible
to the public. UNESCO site
• Perpignan: Palais des Rois de Majorque (13th-14thcenturies).
Former residence of the Kings of Majorca, located in the heart
of the citadel (important remains of the fortified enclosures
conducted by the engineers of Charles V and Vauban). This is
the most important monument of Perpignan and one of the most
outstanding examples of civil and military medieval architecture
in southern France. Le Castillet dates to late 14th century - early
15th century. A former city gate and a prison, it now houses the
Museum of Catalan Art and Popular Traditions (Casa Pairal).
PRESS SERVICE
Pyrénées-Orientales Tourist Board
Pascale Gimenez > Tel. +33 (0)4 68 51 52 68 - [email protected]
Martine Caudine > Tel. +33 (0)4 68 51 52 58 - [email protected]
Press Release 3-6
Culture&
Herita g e
• Le Perthus: Fort de Bellegarde (17th century). Built by Vauban.
One of the most remarkable examples of military architecture in
Roussillon. Visits available during the tourist season.
• Prats-de-Mollo/La Preste: Walled city with ramparts reinforced
by Vauban. Fort Lagarde. Accessible throughout the year.
• Salses-le-Château: Salses fortress (15th-16th centuries). A rare
example of the transition from medieval castle and bastion
fortress.
• Villefranche-de-Conflent: Walled city (rampart of the 11th century).
Ramparts, Fort Liberia, many old houses. UNESCO site
• Vinça: Remnants of fortifications and half-timbered houses in the
village. Remarkable fortified medieval church of Saint Julien et
Sainte Baseline.
• Dans tout le département: Many watchtowers such as the Tour
de la Massane, Tour de Madeloc and Tour de Tautavel; fortification
belt of Port-Vendres...
Pyrénées-Orientales Tourist Board
16, avenue des Palmiers - CS 80540
66005 Perpignan Cedex - France
Tel. +33 (0)4 68 51 52 53
www.tourisme-pyreneesorientales.com