Our territory has an impressive heritage! Batteries, ramparts and numerous constructions have left military traces. They bear witness to a complex past and the strategic importance of our border region.
You will find signal towers and fortifications in the Albères, as well as military traces dating from different eras. On the La Cote Vermeille, Fort Saint-Elme between Collioure and Port-Vendres illustrates the architectural genius of Vauban. The village of Port-Vendres is also home to emblematic monuments such as the Obelisk dedicated to Louis XVI and the Béar redoubt, which once protected the entrance to the channel.
Signal towers and fortifications
A little history…
In the early Middle Ages, lordships appeared on the territory. From the 10th century, but more particularly in the 11th, the most important families took the upper hand over the hamlets where they resided, buying up the land. This would create Monsieurs (Senyor in Catalan) who would give lords. These lords dominated several hamlets and therefore had every interest in building a defense system of their own. Indeed, in those distant times, wars between lords were legion.
Signal towers are medieval defensive elements designed to convey information from one place to another. They are thus constructed in order to protect a relatively small region, such as an extended valley or a mountain range. Most of the time this device has a central point, the castle of the lord.
Accessible on foot, they offer unmissable views to visitors!
Learn more about fortifications
The best hikes to enjoy the grandiose panoramas…
