CASERNE DU CHÂTEAU VIEUX
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The barracks of the old castle in Bayonne, an urban fortress that still attracts tourists and history lovers
A must-see site built by Vauban and not to be missed during your stay in the capital of the Basque Country, the Château Vieux barracks are still the headquarters of the town's military authorities, and are occupied by the1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment (RPIM). It is part of a historic complex comprising the Château Vieux, the Château Neuf and the Citadelle. Already in Roman times, the town had a military and defensive vocation, with the garrison and administration of the region known as "Lapurdum". Vestiges of this period can still be seen around Sainte-Marie Cathedral. At the end of the 15th century, the fortress was renamed Châteaux-Vieux after the construction of a new castle in the Petit Bayonne district. In the 17th century, Antoine de Gramont, governor of Bayonne, reinforced the castle on the city side with a quadrilateral structure. To the west, a barbican (a wooden or stone defensive structure providing protection from the enemy) became a boulevard, then a bastion preceded by a counterguard in 1680. Today, this urban fortress is open to visitors all year round, allowing them to explore its history through exceptionally accessible rooms with remarkable views over the city. Listed in its entirety as a Monument Historique, the fortress continues to attract tourists and history buffs alike. Bayonne, with its rich heritage and thanks to Vauban... is one of France's finest fortifications.
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