Aigue-Mortes - Medieval Fortified City

What is a fortified city?  A fortified city is built with a defensive wall that is used to protect its inhabitants from invaders. La Ville de Québec is the only fortified city in North America north of Mexico.  When I took my students to Québec City, walking through the gates was like taking a stroll back in time.  There are many fortified cities in France, Carcassonne; Avignon and Aigues-Mortes just to name a few.   We had the opportunity to visit a fortified city near the Camargue. Our excursion to Aigues-Mortes was a fun filled, tower-climbing, wall-walking adventure.  Take a look at some other fortified cities.

La Ville de Québec - CANADA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramparts_of_Quebec_City#/media/File:Quebec_City_Wall.jpg

Carcassonne
http://www.creme-de-languedoc.com/Languedoc/sightseeing/carcassonne-citadel.php#

Avignon
http://www.avignon-et-provence.com/avignon-tourism/monuments/remparts-avignon.htm#.Vkhkx_mrTIU

Aigues-Mortes is located in the Camargue - Delta of the Rhone river (see blog from last week).   It was built in a marshy area of the Camargue and the name Aigues-Mortes has Occitan origins meaning "dead water" or "stagnant water.  This area was probably used for salt making as early as the Greek and Roman times. 

http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Aigues-Mortes

In 1240, Louis IX wanting to increase his kingdom and obtain direct access to the Mediterranean Sea, acquired lands from the local religious order, creating the first French port on the Mediterranean Sea. Later he ordered the construction of the Constance Tower to house his army and the construction of canals to the sea.   In order to reach Aigues-Mortes, boats would have to access the ponds and marshes through different channels.   The city was also the starting point for the Seventh and Eight Crusades. Louis IX would not survive to see the walls that were built to surround the city thirty years later.  

La Tour Constance

The Edict of Nantes, signed in 1598, allowed Protestants civil rights and recognition in France.   Aigues-Mortes was one of several cities where the Protestants could find safe haven.  Eventually with the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, the one time safe haven for Protestants became a prison.  The Constance Tower held Protestants (Huguenots) who refused to convert to Catholicism. One prisioner, Marie Durand, who would not give up her faith, was imprisoned for 38 years.  Today you can see a plaque that was constructed in memory of the liberation of the prisoners.

Huguenot Memorial -  Memorial August 30, 1968 for the 200th year anniversary of the liberation of Huguenot prisoners

Upon our arrival, we jumped on the "petit train" and had a half hour tour of the city.  We were able to see all the parts of the city and hear a brief history.   We decided to visit the tower and the ramparts next. We climbed the Constance tower and visited the different chambers.  We even got to see medieval graffiti and toilets! We learned that it took many years to make the 1640 meters (5380 feet) of fortifications and that the walls are in near original condition.  

Little Train selfie

La Porte de la Garette

View of the southern walls

medieval potty

medieval graffiti depicting boat

After, we had lunch on the main street and visited the church and the main square.  The Statue of Saint Louis (Louis IX) is prominent in the center of the square surrounded by a fish fountain.  The church, Notre Dame des Sablons, was interesting, with colorful modern windows that contrasted the 13th century architecture.  The Camargue cross was near the altar and it was beautiful in the afternoon light.  

Saint Louis - Louis IX

Mmmmm - frites!

Our visit to the fortified City of Aigues-Mortes was perfect. Our day complete, we finished off the afternoon with some shopping (salt, cookies, dish towels and scarves) and we ate some gelato.  All sunny days should end with gelato!