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Origin and history

The Château-Neuf de Bayonne was built at the beginning of the 15th century, after the French took over the city in 1451, in a context of persistent tensions with England and Spain. This castle, backed by the English enclosure of the fourteenth century, was designed to strengthen Bayonne's defence and prevent any local revolt, such as that which occurred in Bordeaux in 1453. It was part of a broader military and political control strategy in the region, while the city lost its dominant commercial role after the end of the Hundred Years' War.

In the 16th century, rivalries between France and Austria, as well as the Wars of Religion, led to major transformations of Bayon fortifications to adapt to the progress of artillery. The Château Neuf was then reinforced, and a rampart, called François I, was erected in front of the Gallo-Roman wall. These developments reflect Bayonne's strategic importance, located on the border between France and Spain, and are subject to constant military pressure.

In the 17th century, under Louis XIV, Vauban was sent to Bayonne in 1680 to modernize his defences. It increases the barracks capacity of the Château Neuf, makes the low windows wall for defensive reasons, and erects a ditch around the building. This work is part of a broader policy of strengthening the strongholds of the kingdom, aimed at securing borders and asserting royal power. The castle remained in military service until the 1980s, when it was disused by the army.

The Château-Neuf consists of a quadrangular defensive ensemble, including a round tower dating back to the 1460s, a square tower called the "Mocoron tower" integrated into the English urban enclosure, as well as courtesies and barracks buildings added in the 19th century. These architectural elements illustrate the different phases of building and strengthening the castle, reflecting the changing military needs over the centuries. The site, now disused, remains a major testimony of Bayonne's military and urban history.

The castle also played a role in local life, including welcoming military units until the 20th century. For example, the 61st Airborne Signal Battalion (61st BTAP) was stationed there, as was the training squadron of the 61st Command and Signal Battalion (61st BCT). These successive military occupations marked the recent history of the monument, linking it closely to the life of the Bayonnaise garrison, which counted up to 18,000 soldiers.

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