When were these fortifications built?

These fortifications date from the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD, when the Roman Empire established clausurae to defend its frontiers.

A clausura is a frontier military fortress of the Late Roman Empire, designed to control and defend critical passages in late Antiquity.

What can be seen at the château des Maures?

The château des Maures preserves three square towers, a well-preserved western wall with walkway and postern, and a taller bastion to the south called the Donjon.

What was the role of the gate of Les Cluses?

The gate of Les Cluses was a gate tower built directly on the via Domitiana, controlling passage and marking the administrative boundary between Gaul and Hispania.

Fortifications romaines des Cluses

Les Cluses

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No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Les Cluses

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Fortifications romaines des Cluses stands in Les Cluses (Pyrénées-Orientales), in the Occitanie region of France. The building is listed as a historic monument (dating recorded in the Mérimée database: Gallo-romain). No visits are on record for this building.

The Roman fortifications at Les Cluses form a military complex from late Antiquity, established around the 5th century in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Two Roman forts occupy opposite banks of the Rivière de Rome, complemented by a gate tower on the ancient via Domitiana. These clausurae, frontier strongholds typical of the Late Empire, marked the boundary between Gaul and Hispania.

What to know

The site comprises three distinct elements: the fort of la Cluse on the right bank, the château des Maures on the left bank, and the gate of Les Cluses on the via Domitiana.
Preserved remains include walls of schist with lime mortar, three square towers at the château des Maures, and a larger bastion called the Donjon to the south.
Materials used include blocks of sandstone reused from the Trophy of Pompey at Panissars.
Excavations have uncovered pottery and military artefacts dated to the transition between the 4th and 5th centuries AD.

Where this château is

Les Cluses · Pyrénées-Orientales · Occitanie

Map of the area around Fortifications romaines des Cluses

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Les Cluses, Pyrénées-Orientales

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Listed historic monument (classé); Mérimée record PA00103994
Period of construction: Gallo-romain

Frequently asked

When were these fortifications built?: These fortifications date from the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD, when the Roman Empire established clausurae to defend its frontiers.
What is a clausura?: A clausura is a frontier military fortress of the Late Roman Empire, designed to control and defend critical passages in late Antiquity.
What can be seen at the château des Maures?: The château des Maures preserves three square towers, a well-preserved western wall with walkway and postern, and a taller bastion to the south called the Donjon.
What was the role of the gate of Les Cluses?: The gate of Les Cluses was a gate tower built directly on the via Domitiana, controlling passage and marking the administrative boundary between Gaul and Hispania.