Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The walls of Narbonne came into being in the third century, although the town's fortification was not attested until 1071. These defensive works suffered multiple destruction and reconstruction until the 14th century, reflecting the changing strategic needs of the city. Their history is marked by major transformations, notably under the impulse of Cardinal Briçonnet, Archbishop of Narbonne between 1507 and 1514, who undertook a total reconstruction by reusing massively materials from Roman monuments and steles.

The present fragment, known as the Damville-Montmorency courtine, is the only vestige retained after the decommissioning of the ramparts in 1867 and their almost total demolition. Located between the former bastions of Saint Paul and Montmorency, it is now used as a support to the terrace of the Favatier garden. This section of the wall, composed of seven large blocks, preserves on its two upper rows traces of inscriptions and sculptures (interlaces, mouldings, bas-reliefs), silent testimonies of its composite past.

The ramparts were included in the inventory of Historic Monuments by decree of 19 December 1946, thus recognizing their heritage value. Their current location, on the northern edge of Boulevard de Montmorency, near the school of the same name, recalls their historical role in defending the city. The re-used Gallo-Roman blocks illustrate the medieval and reborn practice of spolium, where ancient stones were systematically recovered to erect new buildings, thus mixing the epochs in the same work.

The accuracy of their geographical location is estimated to be fair (note 5/10), based on available data. This ranking reflects the uncertainties associated with their exact tracing after centuries of urban change. Despite their fragmentary state, these remains offer a tangible overview of successive fortification techniques, from antiquity to the Renaissance, and of the architectural evolution of Narbonne, the strategic city of Languedoc.

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