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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The ramparts of Morlaix, located in the Finistère in Brittany, date from the 15th century and represent a rare testimony of the defensive structures of the city at that time. This monument consists of a section of wall crowned with machicolis, characteristic with their three side-ressalt seats in quarter round. It is the only archaeological vestige still visible from the former fortifications, most of which were destroyed during the League's wars in 1594, and then finally razed during the reign of Louis XIV.

The rampart has been protected since 1996 for its iconic architectural elements: walls, mâchicoulis, round road, parapet and two stairs. These remains, though fragmentary, illustrate the strategic importance of Morlaix in the Middle Ages, a city then surrounded by defences to protect against regional conflicts. Their current location, near the rue des Vieilles-Murailles, recalls medieval urbanization and the evolution of the urban fabric after their destruction.

The ramparts were dismantled in a context of pacification of the kingdom, reflecting the centralizing policies of the nascent modern state. Their gradual disappearance, initially partial in 1594 and then total under Louis XIV, marks the end of the era of fortified cities in Brittany. Today, this classified vestige offers a tangible overview of the 15th century Breton military architecture, while highlighting the historical and urban transformations of Morlaix.

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