Jackets of the house of kings XVe ou XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Reuse of old walls in the arsenal.
vers 1680
Construction of the arsenal
Construction of the arsenal vers 1680 (≈ 1680)
Construction of the three U-buildings.
31 juillet 2006
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 31 juillet 2006 (≈ 2006)
Official protection of the building.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The old arsenal (cad. AB 42): registration by order of 31 July 2006
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any specific historical actors related to this monument.
Origin and history
The former Navarrenx arsenal, built around 1680, is a military architectural complex composed of three U-buildings arranged around a central courtyard. These three-storey buildings partially re-use the walls of an ancient house of the kings of Navarre, as evidenced by the traces of doors and windows dating back to the 15th or 16th centuries. Originally, the arsenal was designed to store a considerable amount of weapons and ammunition, reflecting its strategic role in the region.
The site was listed in the Historic Monuments by order of 31 July 2006, thereby recognizing its heritage value. Today, the building belongs partly to the municipality of Navarrenx and partly to private owners. It now houses a cultural and tourist centre, marking a successful conversion of this military heritage. Its official address, according to the Merimée base, is the 41 Grands Rue in Navarrenx (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), although GPS coordinates also suggest a nearby location at 41 Rue Saint-Germain.
The accuracy of its geographical location is estimated to be poor (note 5/10), which can be explained by discrepancies between recorded addresses and GPS data. Despite this, the arsenal remains a major architectural testimony of the late seventeenth century in New Aquitaine, mixing medieval heritage (via the remains of the house of the kings of Navarre) and modern military function for the period. No information is available on the current conditions of visits or the services offered (open to the public, room rental, etc.).
