Fort de Bellegarde, Le Perthus, France

Le Perthus became French territory after the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659). The Spanish captured Bellegarde in 1674 and began work on new fortifications in 1675. These were not very far advanced when the place was recaptured by the French. In 1678 Vauban designed for Bellegarde a strong pentagonal fort with a detached hornwork extending southwards towards the frontier.

The defences consist of a five bastioned trace, with an upper tier and a lower tier. In front of the more vulnerable sections of wall, there is a ditch. There are three demi-lunes, again only on the more approachable sides of the fortress - on the east there is a sheer precipice.

During the War of the Pyrenees, the fortress was besieged in May - June 1793 by the Spanish and then by the French (in 1794).

During World War II, the fort was used as a holding prison by the Gestapo for escaped prisoners of war and enemy agents.

The fort is open to the public between June and September only and includes exhibits on the history of the fort, its archaeology and the surrounding area.

References:

fortified-places.com

User Reviews

Evgeny Ermilov (graffx) (2 years ago)
Still closed, but excellent views anyway.

Simon Hawkes (3 years ago)
Enjoyed the location & Fort, plenty of free parking at the Fort top of hill. Interesting site to visit, although closed at the time you can walk the whole perimeter of the structure. Superb vista's in all directions.

Philip Varley (4 years ago)
Closed! But a beautiful & dramatic location

Bert Draye (4 years ago)
We visited the Fort Bellegarde end of June and end of covid. So we were there literally alone... Correction, us two lamas and a donkey ? Beautiful setting to camp for a night. We could not enter the Fort itself but the surroundings and outside views are amazing. Recommended if you are passing by. Not sure if it would be worth the detour though.

lukepro3 (6 years ago)
Cool place, watchout in the argelogic place dangerous buildings.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Fort de Bellegarde

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater