🇫🇷 The city walls of Agde

Les Remparts d'AgdeA historical legacy on the French Mediterranean coast
The charming town of Agde, one of the oldest towns in France, is home to the impressive city walls known as "Les Remparts d'Agde". These historic fortifications, some of which date back to Greek and Roman times, are a fascinating testament to Agde's complex history and strategic importance over the centuries.

Historical contextThe city of Agde, founded around 525 BC by Greek settlers from Phocaia, played an important role in the trade of the ancient Mediterranean due to its location at the mouth of the Hérault River and its proximity to the Mediterranean Sea.Over the years, Agde developed into a major trading hub, which required the construction of defenses to protect the city from invaders and pirates.

The fortificationsLes Remparts d'Agde were primarily built and expanded in the Middle Ages, particularly during the reign of Louis XIV, when the fortifications were modernized and reinforced to meet new military requirements.The walls surround the historic core of the town and are built of the characteristic black basalt, which comes from the nearby volcanic quarries.This dark stone color gives the walls an impressive and almost insurmountable appearance.