Travel 2016 – Tip 25 – France – Salses

The last tip for my trip to France is a recommendation to visit Salses-le-Chateau near Perpignan. The town of Salses is about 12 minutes away from Perpignan on the train. The fortress is about 5 minutes away from the station and coming from Perpignan you  do have to cross the track to get to the exit! Then walk down Rue Laurent Colman and follow the road round to the left. Then turn left and be careful as there’s a narrow tunnel back under the railway. The fort is then visible to the right.

The fort was originally constructed by the Spanish in the 15th Century to guard the Roussillion border from attack by France. Salses withstood four sieges before being taken by the French in 1642. The defences are massive and sit low down within what would have been the moat. To look at the ramparts take the guided tour of the fort.