Port Vendres, France

Our ship anchored off Port Vendres, France and we tendered in.  We then boarded a coach inland to Salses-le-Chateau.  This Fortress was constructed during the 15th century at a strategic point between Narbonne and Spain along the old Roman road, known as the Via Domitia.  This was a very important location along the tidal lagoons at the foot of the Corbières mountains.  The fortress is a unique French example of Spanish military architecture, adapted by Vauban in the 17th century to meet the demands of contemporary artillery.  Our guide was very adept at explaining the significance of all the curtain walls, the dry moats and a myriad of other passive construction details, used to defend the fortress.  Very impressive!