Origin and history

The Bayonne fortifications are an emblematic monument to the city of Bayonne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. Although their existence is attested, the available sources do not specify their construction period or details of their history. Their presence, however, reflects Bayonne's strategic importance throughout the centuries, often linked to its geographical location and its role in trade and military exchanges.

In the general historical context of the region, urban fortifications were primarily used to protect local populations from invasions or conflicts. In Bayonne, as in other cities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, these defensive structures played a key role in social and economic organization, enhancing the security of the inhabitants and facilitating the control of access to the city. Their architecture often reflects the defence techniques in place in the times of their construction.