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Origin and history

The ramparts of Decize are part of the fortifications built to protect the city, installed on an island of the Loire. Their origin dates back at least to the 16th century, when Decize, then under the influence of the Counts then Dukes of Nevers, strengthened his defences in the face of regional conflicts. These ramparts were part of a broader defensive system, including the castle (now in ruins) and fortified gates such as the Marquis d'Ancre, built in 1194 and rebuilt in 1468.

During the Hundred Years' War, Decize, although Burgundy, suffered no direct attack thanks to his fortifications. In the 16th century, however, the city was destroyed several times: in 1525, it was looted and burned by soudards led by the Count of Belle-Joyeuse, then ravaged by a fire in 1529, leaving only a few houses standing. These events underline the strategic importance of the ramparts for the survival of the city.

Over the centuries, the ramparts lost their military role but remained symbols of local history. In 1946, the remains still visible were partially protected by an inscription to the Historic Monuments, recognizing their heritage value. Today, they offer a tangible testimony of the defensive architecture of the Renaissance and the Late Middle Ages in Nivernais.

The Marquis d'Ancre gate, the last door with a preserved drawbridge, illustrates the evolution of fortification techniques between the 12th and 15th centuries. Together with the château and l'écauguette, these elements formed a coherent set to control access to the city, including bridges over the Loire. Their partial preservation makes it possible to imagine the aspect of Decize at the time when it was a regional stronghold.

Decize, labeled "Cité de Characterère de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté" since 2019, highlights this heritage in its urban landscape. The ramparts, though fragmentary, recall the central role of the city as a river and land crossroads, between the Massif central and the Paris basin. Their history also reflects the political and military upheavals that marked the Nièvre of the Middle Ages in modern times.

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