"A great well preserved medieval city" Top 5 Page for this destination Aigues-Mortes by vinc_bilb

Aigues-Mortes Travel Guide: 29 reviews and 163 photos

The main entrance (north) - Aigues-Mortes

History

(Extract and summary from external sources + my own inputs)

Name of the city is coming from "dead waters" ("lei Aigas Mòrtas" in old local langage, becoming "Aigues-Mortes" in modern French)

The foundation of the city was around 102 BC, but the first official document mentioning a place called "Ayga Mortas" (dead waters) dates from the 10th century.

Louis IX of France (Saint Louis) rebuilt the port in the 13th century as France's only Mediterranean port at that time. It was the starting point of the Seventh Crusade (1248) and the Eighth Crusade (1270).

From 1575 to 1622, Aigues-Mortes was one of the eight safe havens granted to the Protestants. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 caused severe repression of Protestantism,

The walls

The walls (view from south)

The 1,650 metres of city walls were built in two phases: the first during the reign of Philippe III the Bold and the second during the reign of Philippe IV the Fair, who had the enclosure completed between 1289 and 1300. The Constance Tower, completed in 1248, is all that remains of the castle built in Louis IX's reign. It was almost certainly the gatehouse tower, designed to be impregnable with its six-metre-thick walls.

(picture from Tourism Info center web site)

Saint Louis (Louis IX of France)

Saint Louis: piety and kindness

Louis IX (25 April 1214 – 25 August 1270), commonly Saint Louis, was King of France from 1226 to his death.

Louis's piety and kindness towards the poor was much celebrated.
He went on two crusades, in his mid-30s in 1248 (Seventh Crusade) and then again in his mid-50s in 1270 (Eighth Crusade). Both were complete disasters; after initial success in his first attempt, Louis's army of 15,000 men was met by overwhelming resistance from the Egyptian army and peoplecite.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A great medieval city
Cons:Nothing significant to add than a great medieval city, tourism
In a nutshell:City of Saint Louis

Last visit to Aigues-Mortes: Jul 2008
Intro Updated Aug 7, 2008
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Reviews (6)

A lot of restaurants here - Aigues-Mortes

A lot Restaurants (1)

Most of the restaurants are located around Saint Louis square. There are the usual 1st place for tourists. But, just... more travel advice

Pleasure for the taste and for the eyes Shopping (1)

Amazing, wonderful, a unexpected choice, for your tasting and your eyes. Candy(Candy store), craft(home-made). La "Cure... more travel advice

Cars - parking Transportation (1)

Cars are not allowed in the old medieval city. Tourism information center map for parking locations is attached... more travel advice

Saint Louis with the sunset - Aigues-Mortes

Follow Saint Louis Things to Do (2)

The square Saint Louis, the church Notre Dame des Sablons (XIII century): Saint Louis is everywhere. He was the key... more travel advice

Favorites (1)
A well preserved medieval city walls

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Comments (3)

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bkoon Mar 8, 2009 at 4:06 AM

Nice.... I will be staying there for a night. Sigh... No parking within the city? Shucks!!!
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timada Sep 14, 2008 at 10:40 PM

It ' s a wonderful place here in Aigues -Mortes !Very nice pictures. Thanks for your comments on my Mannheim page ! :-))
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diosh Aug 7, 2008 at 3:46 AM

What a stunning view one gets, from the ramparts, of those salt flats!p.s. Yes- while staying at Vias.Have been through Herault valley- and down Grotte des Demioselles.