Remparts

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

In the 13th century, Guyenne and Agenais being in English hands, the King of France established himself at Domme to defend himself from this proximity. A royal bastide was created and fortified. In 1347, the hill of Domme was taken by the English, but retaken the following year by the seneschal of Périgord. The Treaty of Brétigny placed this fortress under English suzerainty, but it repulsed attacks from 1370 to 1384. In 1417, Domme was again occupied by the English until 1438. During the Wars of Religion, Huguenots and Leaguers took turns holding the fortress which finally remained with the Protestants until 1592. The ramparts are pierced by three gates: the gate del Bos, the gate of the Coumbo and the gate of the Tours. Built in 1381 like the rest of the wall, the latter faced the double castle which crowned the western part. The gate is framed by two massive towers, formed by a long pointed arch vault at the top of which two openings allowed the passage of the portcullises. Behind each portcullis was a wooden door which closed by a system of ironwork and beams. In the space between these two doors, two cross loopholes allowed the passage to be defended. A third is located in the vault. On both sides of the towers, a sort of sentry box projects, serving as latrines for the garrison. The parapet walks of the platforms allow passage from one tower to the other, and probably date from the 16th century, created during the Wars of Religion.