Timeline

Origin and history

The ramparts of Morlaix, located in the eponymous town of Brittany, constitute the only archaeological vestige of the 15th century defensive structures. This wall section, crowned with three-seated machicolis, illustrates late medieval military architecture. The mâchicoulis, with their lateral bursts in quarter-round, testify to the defence techniques of the time, designed to protect the assailants while allowing for diving shots.

The construction of these ramparts dates back to the 15th century, a period marked by political and military tensions in Brittany. They were partially dismantled in 1594, during the League's wars, a religious and dynastic conflict that opposed Catholics and Protestants in France. Their destruction came to an end during the reign of Louis XIV, probably in the context of the disarmament policies of rebel cities or considered strategically sensitive.

Today, the protected elements include walls, mâchicoulis, the round road, the parapet and two stairs. These remains, inscribed in the Historical Monuments by decree of 21 May 1996, recall the strategic importance of Morlaix in the Middle Ages. Their location, near the rue des Vieilles-Murailles, highlights their integration into the city's historic urban fabric.

The destruction of the ramparts reflects the political upheavals of the late 16th and 17th centuries. The League's wars, and then Louis XIV's centralizing decisions, have profoundly altered the Breton defensive landscape. Morlaix, like other cities, saw its fortifications reduced, marking the transition to an era in which cities lost their military autonomy to the Royal State.

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