The citadel
Constructed on the site of the ancient fort of the kings of Navarre, the Citadel dominates the walled city. Constructed in the 17th century, during the religious wars and Hispano-French conflicts, it was restructured by Vauban. He enhanced the defensive system and planned exterior structures, such as the redoutes as well as the town’s fortifications.
These works were in part completed.
During the 18th century, the citadel served as the headquarters from which the French army sallied forth with its illustrious volunteers and its 10 companies of Basque Rifles under the command of the future Maréchal Harispe. The citadel was a military garrison up until the 1920s, and now, serves as a grammar school.
La citadelle fait partie intégrante du réseau des Places Fortes en Pyrénées Occidentales