Fort Saint-Elme

Our opinion

This fort built in 1344 by the King of Aragon was enlarged in the 15th century by Louis XI then in the 16th century by Charles Quint. Returned under the French crown in the 17th century under Louis XIII and Louis XIV, constituting a strategic point to control the region, its defenses were improved by Vauban. You can go up by car (5 minutes from the center of the village), on foot (30 minutes from the Museum of Modern Art - be careful, the slope is steep) or by taking the little tourist train. The view is splendid. If the fort is open (timetables and prices), do not hesitate to enter to discover its innards, the small exhibition which traces its history and its magnificent terrace (360 ° view). Knight's clothes and princess dresses offered free of charge at the reception will delight your young children. Note: the other fort of Collioure (Fort Miradou) cannot be visited, it houses the military training camp that you will regularly see in full exercise on land, in water or in the air.

Details of the activity

Fort Saint Elme is a Fort built between 1538 and 1552. Its star-shaped architecture, loopholes, stunners and other traps make it an impregnable fortress. A 360 ° panorama, from which one dominates the sea, the mountain and the plain, make it an exceptional place for walking. It is now open to the public and offers various cultural activities. A historical museum traces the heroic past of this region of the Pyrenees on the Côte Vermeille. With its 8th century tower that became the keep that a fortress built by Emperor Charles V in the 16th century to protect the capital of the Perpignan region and lock the road to Barcelona. Place of epic clashes between Spanish and French, Fort Saint Elme is a private monument open to the public. You can go up there either on foot via the Mill, or with the Little Tourist Train or by car via Port-Vendres. From the top of its walls you can discover all of northern Catalonia, plains and mountains as well as the infinite sea. It is an exceptional point of view. It is a Museum-Arsenal whose important collections introduce the Art of war to the Renaissance period. The guided tour route is aimed at children, young and old alike. There are also night, dawn, underground and tower tours. In the gardens, tables are available for those who want to have a picnic. Access Join the Museum of Modern Art, leave the building on your left, cross the Parc Pams to "La Gloriette" (square construction), the former smokehouse of Senator Pams, then join the Moulin de la Cortine, an oil mill with the production is sold on site. Take the path behind the Mill to continue to Fort Saint-Elme. A visit is essential ... From there, possibility of joining the Hermitage of Consolation or Port Vendres. A bit of history ... In the 14th century, instead of the current fort, there was a round watchtower called the Guardia. The following century saw its name change in honor of Saint Elmo, patron saint of navigators. Charles Quint, in the 16th century, will build a first part of the fortification of the building. The following century, Vauban, the military architect of Louis XIV, reworked the fortification. The building was put up for sale in 1913.

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