Aigues-Mortes EN:092006•PANTHEON Franc?Ais 12/02/08 18:20 Page 1

14B-cite? d'aigues-mortes EN:092006•PANTHEON_franc?ais 12/02/08 18:20 Page 1

History Visit Crusades Protestantism Information History Visit Crusades Protestantism Information History Visit Crusades Protestantism Information History Visit Crusades Protestantism Information L L L L English Glossary A crusader port Protestant heritage Aigues-Mortes Edict of Nantes: promulgated by Henri IV in The holy war The Constance Tower, the Camisard Saint Louis’s city 1598, the edict recognised the Protestant prison religion in the kingdom of France. It was Eight military expeditions were organised by revoked in 1685 by Louis XIV. Western Christians in order to reconquer the From 1575 to 1622, Aigues-Mortes was one of An inland port

Huguenot: a nickname given to Protestants by 2008. avril Néo-Typo, Holy Land, which had fallen into the hands of the eight safe havens granted to the Protestants. Roman Catholics. the Muslims, between the 11th and 13th cent- The revocation of the Edict of Nantes* in 1685 Built on a swampy lido*, Aigues-Mortes was

Jobber: a workman paid by the job. Their marks impression uries. Crusades were considered to be the most caused severe repression of Protestantism, founded in 1240 by Louis IX, who was to are typical of medieval buildings, making it prestigious pilgrimage and for certain Christians which was marked in Languedoc and the become Saint Louis. possible to identify who did the work. There are a duty of conscience. The very pious Louis IX Cévennes in the early 18th century by the The first king of over 600 marks in Aigues-Mortes and only the led the last two crusades, both of which left “Camisard War”. Like other towers in the France to have a Caractères et cætera. et cætera. Caractères Constance Tower does not have any. from Aigues-Mortes. town, from 1686 onwards the Constance Tower Mediterranean port, Lido: a strip of coastline completely closing off a was used as a prison for the Huguenots* who he established traduction bay and sometimes separating a lagoon. 1248: to Egypt refused to convert to Roman Catholicism. In himself on land surrounded by Phylloxera: a vine parasite which decimated beau fixe. 1703, Abraham Mazel, leader of the Camisards, French vineyards in the 19th century, changing From 1246 onwards, equipment and provisions managed to escape with sixteen companions. neighbouring powers. He build the future Constance Tower and a castle which no longer the wine economy and the French countryside. réalisation were gathered in preparation in Aigues-Mortes. However, Louis IX had to ask Marseille, Venice A women’s prison exists, and developed canals towards the sea, Practical information and Genoa to complete his fleet. He gathered Arles and Montpellier. He left on his crusades in 1248 and 1270 from the port at Aigues-Mortes. Plein Sens, Anders. Anders. Plein Sens, 1800 ships in Cyprus in 1249, of which only From 1715, ordinary women, often from the Although it has been made safe, the monument 38 had left Aigues-Mortes with him. Cévennes, were locked up for having attended Doorway and dungeon

is not hazard-free. Please watch your children. conception As soon as they arrived in Egypt, the king took religious services or for simply being suspected Visit takes on average: 1 hour 15 minutes Damietta, but his army was defeated at of having done so. Among them, Marie Durand, of the kingdom Guided tours. Mansurah in April 1250, where he was taken with her unshakeable faith, is one of the out-

Tours suitable for disabled visitors. Karine Bernard. prisoner. Released in exchange for a large standing figures of Protestantism. She was arrest- Sheltered by the city walls, in 1278 the port ransom, he remained in Palestine until 1254 and ed in order to put pressure on her brother Pierre, became the only southern port in the kingdom, handling goods such as spices and wool. But illustration rebuilt the walls of the Frankish strongholds. a pastor, hoping that he would give himself up The Centre des monuments nationaux publishes a collection to the authorities. She remained imprisoned for when Provence became a part of France in 1481 of guidebooks about French monuments, translated into several Marseille took its place. After the revocation of languages. Éditions du patrimoine publications are on sale 1270: departure for Tunisia thirty-eight years before being released in 1768. in the bookshop-giftshop. It is thought that she wrote the word “register”, the Edict of Nantes* in 1685, the towers of Aigues-Mortes, formerly a Protestant city, were Centre des monuments nationaux In 1270, the crusaders were summoned to the which means “resist” in patois, on the window Tours et remparts d’Aigues-Mortes port of Aigues-Mortes for a fresh expedition. well in the upper room, though there is no turned into prisons for the Huguenots*. 30220 Aigues-Mortes They embarked on July 1st 1270 and set off for proof that it was her. This has become an iconic tél. 04 66 53 61 55 Between beaches and vineyards fax 04 66 53 79 98 the coast of Tunisia. However, the future appeal for freedom of conscience. In 1968, on

www.monuments-nationaux.fr Saint Louis died from dysentery on August 25 the bicentenary of the release of the Protestant P. Berthé © Centre des monuments nationaux, Paris. Paris. nationaux, Berthé des monuments © Centre P. in Carthage. prisoners, a pillar was inaugurated in the Around 1875, a vineyard was planted on the courtyard at the Governor’s residence which land around the town, away from the phylloxe- ra*. At that time the town was expanding due

crédits photos referring to Marie Durand’s resistance. to the new fashion of sea bathing.

*Explanations overleaf. *Explanations overleaf. 14B-cite? d'aigues-mortes EN:092006•PANTHEON_franc?ais 12/02/08 18:20 Page 5

History Visit Crusades Protestantism Information L

N Almost intact Medieval fortifications Salins Tour de la du Midi Poudrière Porte de la Porte de l’Arsenal Porte Arènes Reine Porte de la Marine The 1,640 metres of city walls were built in two Tour de des Cordeliers 4 Villeneuve Porte des Galions Porte des Moulins phases: the first during the reign of Philippe III the 18 15 Porte de l’Organeau Bold and the second during the reign of Philippe IV 16 17 Tour des Tour la 11 Bourguignons la Mèche 3 the Fair, who had the enclosure completed 14 Porte St-Antoine between 1289 and 1300. It was to be adapted 5 6 2 13 12 4 7 for new weapons during the ensuing centuries, Tour du Sel 10 8 1 especially on the northern side which was the 9 Porte des Remblais most exposed to attack. Many aspects bear 3 Porte 1 the marks of the jobbers*. The wooden structures, de la Gardette roofing and moats can no longer be seen. 2

The Constance Tower There are several kinds of defence works along Tour de Constance the walls, overlapping the curtain walls: entrance This tower, completed in 1248, is all that remains structures, flanking towers and corner towers. of the castle built in Louis IX’s reign. It was almost certainly the gatehouse tower, designed The north wall to be impregnable with its six-metre-thick walls. A spiral staircase leads to the different levels The canal leading to the original port was on this of the tower. side. The lagoon, which no longer exists, provided The south wall The west wall natural protection, strengthened by the defence 1 The circular lower room lies beneath a twelve- works. Protected naturally by a lake where boats have For a long time, the north-west quadrant was ribbed vault built on sculpted caps which are 5 The Porte de la Gardette is the town’s military sailed since ancient times, this side had a landing a military quarter, with the place d’Armes and supported by polygonal columns. Four arrow gate, the only one with the remains of a draw- stage from 1278 on. The bottom of the walls was the Governor’s residence built in the 17th century loops open onto the outside. To the north, bridge. It was the only way into the town from strengthened with earth excavated to make the on the site of the old king’s palace, which was the entrance is formed by a double doorway the 16th to the 18th century. It had been protected Beaucaire canal in the 18th century. destroyed by fire in 1421. The town was extended closed by a wooden batten. since the 14th century by the Carbonnière gate 7 The Porte de la Marine is so named for its on this side in 1272, adding the forest as far as 2 The round passageway, a sort of corridor high tower, 3.5 kilometres to the north on the road. proximity to the port. Goods were transported in the Mauguio lake. up within the wall, enables the lower room to be 6 The tour de Villeneuve is a good example of flat-bottomed boats. watched over. a corner tower, designed to provide additional 8 The Porte des Galions has vaults decorated with The town 3 The upper room was used as a prison for protection. a Minotaur and a monk talking to the birds. Protestants in the 18th century. The vestibule 9 The Porte des Moulins takes its name from two Around place Saint-Louis, the historic heart of is remarkable for its high quality decoration. The east wall windmills built on it in the 17th century. Make the town, there are several old buildings such 4 The terrace, an ideal outlook post, overlooks the sure not to miss the keystones with the angel as the 17th century Capuchin convent. entire region. The turret used to house a light- The towers on this part of the wall were often holding a crown and the frowning old man. Notre-Dame-des-Sablons, mentioned as early as house to guide the boats and ensured that they places of refuge in the fighting between Roman The salt works, which were connected to the town 1260, was built before the fortified enclosure, paid their customs duties. Catholics and Protestants. Marks left by missiles in 1290, are the source of the “white gold” which during the lifetime of Saint Louis. can still be seen. formed the basis of the city’s wealth. Their ecosystem is typical of the whole of the Camargue.

*Explanations overleaf.