The Narbonne Gate Towers and the Trésau Tower

INNER WALL    he reconstruction of two thirds of the ancient wall was carried out in the last quarter of the XIIIth Century and the first few years of the XIVth Century during the reigns of Philippe III le Hardi and his son, Philippe le Bel. It reaffirmed the power of the Capetiens over Languedoc by ensuring the security of the new seneschalsy against the Aragonese claims. It follows the line of the Late Empire wall except in two sections: the south-west and north-east corners where the new curtain wall was built in front of the flattened primitive stonework. Entire sections of the ancient wall were rebuilt including: from the Saint-Martin Tower to the Saint-Nazaire tower on the south-east face and, on the north-east side, from the Narbonnais Gate to the Moulin du Connétable Tower. However, on the east and south-east faces (between the Narbonne Gate and the Prison Tower) the master builders decided to conserve the ancient stonework with its curtain walls and towers. The medieval reconstruction was done in medium bond using rough faced sandstone. This treatment, similar to the Aigues-Mortes wall, gives the facings a slightly rough appearance as if they have been left thus on purpose.

The Inner Wall  The Narbonne Gate  The Saint-Nazaire Gate  The Aude Gate  The Rodez Gate  The Bishop's Tower  The Trésau Tower  The Saint-Martin Tower