Château-Vieux

Bayonne, France

The Château-Vieux ('Old castle') in Bayonne is built on the site of an ancient Roman castrum which housed the garrison and administration of the region. From the end of the 11th century the viscounts of Labourd built the fortress based on three existing Roman towers strengthened. The castle was refortified in the 17th century by Vauban plans.

Address

Allée de la Poterne, Bayonne, France

See all sites in Bayonne

Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in France
Historical period: Birth of Capetian dynasty (France)

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Bayonne Cathedral (0,2 km)
St. Andrew's Church (0,6 km)
Château-Neuf (0,7 km)
Bayonne Citadel (0,9 km)

Castle of Charles V (29 km)
Royal Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles (55,1 km)
Sorde Abbey (34,4 km)
Roman Crypt (42 km)
Dax Cathedral (41,8 km)
Ainhoa Village (20,7 km)
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Citadel (41,6 km)
Fort de Socoa (19,7 km)
Cagnotte Abbey Church (35,1 km)

User Reviews

Albert Alfieri (2 years ago)
Imposing building built between the 11th and 17th century (finished by Vauban). Cannot be visited, it is still a military enclosure. If you are going to see the cathedral take a short detour on foot (100m) to admire its proportions from the square below

Guillermo R (4 years ago)
It cannot be visited. Military area. The exterior is nice.

Francisco Ramirez (5 years ago)
An old castle, good preserved

brian woo (6 years ago)
Not much to see here

Claudia Teixeira (6 years ago)
Wonderful

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Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

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Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.