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Origin and history

The ramparts of Mont-de-Marsan, built from the second half of the 12th century, are the remains of the old urban fortifications. Initiated by Pierre de Marsan between 1133 and 1141 during the founding of the city, they symbolized the vicomtal power and protected Bourg-Vieux, centered around the castle and the church of Madeleine. The walls, about ten metres high, were built of shell stone extracted from the quarries of Uchacq, a material typical of local buildings. A franchise charter granted by Pierre de Marsan allowed the inhabitants to manage part of urban affairs in exchange for the maintenance of the ramparts, marking the beginnings of a municipal organisation.

The enclosure gradually extended with the expansion of the city. The Bourg-Neuf, to the west, included strong houses and a primitive Deffenz gate near the Twelve. In the 13th century, a second enclosure protected the Bourg de la Grande Fontaine, including a door to Saint-Sever and securing the bridge over the Midou. Fortifications evolved with elements such as the Great Tenaille (1585–90), commanded by Henry III of Navarre (later Henry IV), a double bastion system surrounded by ditches. The harbour district, active in the 16th century, also benefited from its own enclosure.

The destruction of the ramparts began in the 18th century, reflecting a change in urban perception: the medieval gates, considered narrow, were destroyed between 1726 and 1777 to modernize the city. The castle of Nolibos and the tenailles had already been demolished in 1627 by order of Louis XIII. Today, there are only sections of walls, the Lacataye dungeon, and Romanesque houses, witnesses to this defensive heritage. The remains protected since 1942 include three towers and portions between Victor-Hugo Street and Midou.

The ramparts also illustrated the medieval social organization: their participatory financing (toll fees) and collective maintenance strengthened community cohesion. The doors, named after their destinations (Roquefort, Campet, Tartas), facilitated trade and military exchanges. Ferruginous stone (garruche) used in some walls recalls the old Irish steel industry, while public baths (sixteenth century) near moat evoke daily life after the decline of fortifications.

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