Ici nous avons le temps English 2021 Welcome to Aigues-Mortes, medieval city, Grand Site Occitanie, built according to the wishes of King Saint Louis. Under the sun of Camargue, 5 minutes away from the Mediterranean beaches, we invite you to a getaway full of experiences! Discover the ramparts, the unique cultural and architectural heritage of the city, la- beled Vignobles & Découvertes. Stroll through its streets with hidden treasures. Hike or cycle on trails through the excep- tional Camargue environment. Let yourself be surprised by a flight of flamingos, a herd of bulls, a cavalcade of horses. Admire the saline, its pink ponds and its mountains of salt. It is here in Aigues-Mortes that time stands still and offers you precious moments of escape. The Mayor The President Josiane Rosier 2 4 GO BACK IN TIME 6 Walking down 10 History 16 Follow the guide 18 The art of being curious 20 MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY MINUTE 22 Our cattle farmers open up their doors 24 The secrets of landscapes in Camargue 25 Open your eyes 26 Dare to do something different 28 Embark on a barge cruise 29 Everyone in carriage ! 30 Enjoy horse riding, at a horse’s pace 32 Cycle through green areas 34 Dip your feet in the water 36 It’s time to play ! 38 Adopt the zen attitude 39 Get ready to go ! 40 TASTE HAPPINESS 42 Visit our vines and cellars 44 Go to the market ! 45 Specialist products to slip in your suit- case 46 I book my table ! 52 Evening and show ! 53 USEFUL ADDRESSES 54 Professional services 55 Shopping 58 Medical services 60 Getting here, getting around 62 Useful contacts 63 Map of the Camargue 3 4 5 3€ 6 The Tour Carbonnière, a mediaeval turnpike tower, overlooks stunning countryside, You can enter at any time of day or night. The spiral staircase will lead you to the top for a breathtaking view. In the mist of the swamps and reed beds, enjoy picking out the birds carefully camouflaged in their surroundings to protect and feed themselves. (see page 12). 7 1 - Blason of Aigues-Mortes (April 26th - 1697) : it represents Saint Martin, roman general, saint patron of the French Kings and of the city, sharing his coat with a beggar. 2 - Faun’s head : mask at the corner, dating back to a previous construction. 3 - Chapelle des Capucins (End 17th C.) : sold at the 18th century, after the abolition of the religious orders and the dispersion of the monks. 4 - Saint Louis‘ Statue (1849) : created by Pradier, made of bronze. King Louis IX is crowned, in a coat of mail, leaning on an anchor. 5 - The church Notre Dame des Sablons (13th C.) : the first church made of wood and reed is built in 1183. It was rebuilt in 1246 in stone and ogival style. In Saint Louis came before his crusade. Stained glasses XXth C. made by C. Viallat and B. Dhonneur. 6 - House n°2 - 4 rue Jean Jaurès (17th C.) : the corbels are decorated with women's heads wearing diadems and leaves. 7 - House n°19 rue Jean Jaurès : corinthian pilasters carrying an entablature. 8 - House n°24 rue Jean Jaurès (End 18th C.) : 4 keystones. Sculptures representing the four seasons. 9 - The fountain : created April 12th 1896 to celebrate the arrival of drinking water in the village. 10 - Porte de la Gardette : the only access to the city was watched for centuries by guards. 11 - La Tour de Constance (13th C.) : built around 1241 during Saint Louis’ lifetime, it was used as lighthouse, residence and infamous prison. 12 - The Bartizan : this round covered bartizan was intended to make the surveillance easier for sentry. 13 - The Governor’ house (16th C.) : built on the same place where the King’s House was, which were burned out in the 15th Century. It was rebuilt by the Governor of Civey. 14 - House n°22-24 Bd Int. Ouest (1679) : bought by the consuls of Aigues-Mortes in order to lodge the garrison's officers. Inscription: “Mare de Deu de Montserrat”. 15 - La Porte des Remblais : named Montpellier's Gate until the 17th Century, it became the "Porte des Remblais" (embankment's gate) when the North-Western ditch was embanked. 16 - House n°29 Bd Intérieur Ouest : “ancient housing of King's lieutenant”, bought by the salt company “Salins du Midi” in the 20th century. 17 - La Tour des Bourguignons : it is said that during the conflict between Armagnacs and Bourguignons in 1421, a Bourguignon s' garrison were murdered, stored and salted, to avoid any epidemic. 18 - La Porte de l’Organeau : this gate is doted with rings which were used to moor the galleys in the city's pond. Gargoyle : griffon half eagle, half lion abducting a man. 19 - La Porte des Moulins : (Mills’ gate) Two mills were fixed on each tower. 20 - La Porte des Galions : (Galley’s gate) Mooring point on the city's pond named then "Etang de Psalmodi" (Psalmodi's pond). 21 - La Porte de la Marine : the galleys were also mooring along this gate. 8 22 - House n°35 Bd Gambetta : it is the only one presenting a portico with a wooden roof. Mullioned window. 23 - La Porte de l’Arsenal : named this way because next to the Arsenal's place. 24 - La Tour de la Poudrière : next to the powder and munitions storage. 25 - La Porte de la Reine : tribute to the queen Anne of Austria who came in Aigues-Mortes through this gate in 1622. 26 - Gargoyles at Porte de la Reine : a lion is squatting down, other gargoyles represent ferocious dogs. 27 - La Glacière (the last one. 3 existed in the 17th C.) : a shaft was dug in the centre of the chest, it was also covered with soil to preserve its coolness. 28 - Méjeanet Cross (1838) : it belongs to the Prior of “Penitents Blancs” (L. Méjean). 29 - Bérénice Cross (1852) : it belongs to the Prior of “Pénitents Gris” (B. Bachain). 30 - La Tour de Villeneuve : called “Masks Tower” first, then General Romieu de Villeneuve, one of the closest advisers of Louis IX. 31 - La Porte des Cordeliers : in the 13th Century, a Franciscan's convent was built by Louis IX in the neighbourhood. 32 - La Tour de la Mèche : people guess a wick was staying alight to set fire to munitions and powder in case of danger. Arrow slit : two different kinds of arrow slit's chamber: for 1 person (round arch) or 2 (lancet arch). 33 - La Porte Saint Antoine : named because of a cemetery around. 3 sculptures are representing (from left to right) : a female centaur, a dragon and a centaur. “Société d’Histoire et d’Archéologie” : located in the gate, it preserves lots of relics discovered around. 34 - La Tour du Sel : this tower served as a salt storage. It was also named military jail's tower. 35 - House n°5 rue de la République : at the balcony, sculpted lions are keeping watching. 36 - House n°30 rue de la République : the escutcheon represents the professional sign of the first house owner: coat of mail manufacturer. 37 - La Chapelle des Pénitents Blancs (17th C.) : it still belongs to the brotherhood and shelters a fresco by X. Sigalon and paintings of A. Glaize. 38 - House n°6 place de la Viguerie : relics of a huge mullioned window. 39 - La Chapelle des Pénitents Gris (17th C.) : it still belongs to the brotherhood and has an altarpiece made of stucco by J. Sabatier. 40 - Cross “des Cinq Plaies” : ancient cross of 1814 located on the Place St Louis. Moved in 1825 in the garden of the “Pénitents Gris” chapel. 41 - House n°48 rue E. Jamais (19th C.) : the balcony seems to be carried by the acanthus leaves framing the door. 42 - Town Hall (1535) : rebuilt in the 17th and the 20th Century. 9 The site of Aigues-Mortes has been occupied The fort was built in 1568 in a region that had since mankind walked the earth. If you have the been suffering from religious troubles since 1560, chance, head north-east and if it is open, go and ensured ongoing control of the nearby salt through the Gateway of Saint Antoine, you will be marshes and the canals which were used to warmly welcomed inside by the members of the transport the salt. It recalls the fortifications of “history and archaeology association”. Remains Vauban, although this is later (1633-1707). from all times are on show in this gateway: There is no access to the fort. Far from all visual bones, tools, pottery, coins … from the earliest distraction, at the edge of the salt marsh it invites humans to the twentieth century. you to simply enjoy a peaceful setting. In the fifth century the Benedictine monks settled in the hostile environment of the marshes and ponds and founded an abbey. Monks consecrated to the “Opus Dei” and hence incessant psalmodies, both day and night, led to the monastery being known as Psalmody or Psalmodi. The remains of the abbey are now private property and are not open to public visits. Texts from the eighth century Roughly ten kilometres to the east of the town is mention this place under the the fort of “Peccais”. In ancient times a Greek name of Aquae Mortuae, colony settled here and then the Romans in the because of the dead water in the first century took over the organization of salt surrounding marshes and ponds. production and sale. It was linked to the sea by the Canal Viel, along During the Second World War, its strategic which flat-bottomed barges were pulled by position did not escape the notice of the German horses from the banks.