Photos, videos and docs of Martin M. Miles, with the keywords: "bastide"

Barran - Les halles

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 21:17:59 +0000

Barran, a stop on the Via Tolosana, is a bastide founded in 1279 following an agreement between the Count of Armagnac-Fézensac and the Archbishop of Auch.
The market hall

Barran - Saint-Jean-Baptiste

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:27:28 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Barran, a stop on the Via Tolosana, is a bastide founded in 1279 following an agreement between the Count of Armagnac-Fézensac and the Archbishop of Auch.

The church, originally built in the 14th century on 13th-century foundations, was rebuilt around 1520 and elevated to the status of a collegiate church. In 1569, the new collegiate church was destroyed by Protestant troops.

The bell tower has a square base. It is crowned by a pyramid, upon which sits a tall, octagonal spire. The lower edges of the spire form an eighth of a turn from left to right. The tower reaches a height of 50 meters. According to local tradition, the spire was twisted by the wind.

Saint-Justin - Chambre d'arrêt

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 21:12:59 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Saint-Justin was founded in 1280 as a bastide, a fortified town,

The town still has three octagonal towers and a walkway along the ramparts and the tower wall. And this "chambre d'arrêt".

Montauban - Lourdes

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 21:49:28 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard.

In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629.

Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance.

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This Lourdes grotto is located in the large and well-kept garden of the "Chapelle de l'Immaculée conception".

Montauban - Droguerie Couderc

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 21:28:10 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard.

In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629.

Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance.

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The Droguerie Couderc has existed since 1880. A badger guards the display in the left window.

Montauban - Blood

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 21:12:31 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard.

In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629.

Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance.

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Street art near the "Place Nationale". Red blood cells?

Montauban - Place Nationale

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 20:54:58 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard.

In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629.

Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance.
The layout of the Place Nationale still shows the marketplace of the planned city of the Middle Ages. Deep arched arcades surround the square.

Montauban - Place Nationale

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 19:36:59 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard.

In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629.

Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance.
The layout of the Place Nationale still shows the marketplace of the planned city of the Middle Ages. Deep arched arcades surround the square.

Montauban - Pont Vieux

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:30:49 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montauban is the second oldest bastide in southern France. Its foundation dates from 1144 when Count Alphonse Jourdain of Toulouse, granted it a liberal charter. The inhabitants were drawn chiefly from Montauriol, a village that had grown up around the neighboring monastery of St Théodard.

In the 13th century, the town suffered much from the ravages of the Albingensian War. In 1317 it became the head of a diocese. In 1360, it was ceded to the English, but they were expelled by the inhabitants in 1414. In 1560 the bishops and magistrates embraced Calvinistic Protestantism. They expelled the monks, and in 1561, crowds broke down the cathedral doors, looted the church and set it on fire. In the Edict of Nantes in 1598, Montauban, like La Rochelle, became a "safe place" (place de sûreté). The city became a small Huguenot republic with 15,000 inhabitants. It was the headquarters of the Huguenot Rebellion of 1621 and successfully withstood an 86-day siege by Louis XIII. The city was still destroyed and impoverished. Richelieu conquered La Rochelle and also conquered Montauban in 1629.

Because Montauban was a Protestant town, it resisted and held its position against the royal power, refusing to give allegiance to the Catholic King. Montauban did not submit to royal authority until after the fall of La Rochelle in 1629. The same year Richelieu conquered Montauban and the fortifications were destroyed. The Protestants again suffered persecution later in the century, as Louis XIV began to persecute Protestants by sending troops to their homes (dragonnades) and then in 1685 revoked the Edict of Nantes, which had granted the community tolerance.

The Pont Vieux built 1311 - 1335. Once the Sainte Catherine chapel stood on the bridge. It was equipped with an iron cage for dipping blasphemers into the river.

Fleurance - Mairie

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 11:20:24 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Fleurance was founded as a bastide in the 13th century. It lies in the heart of the former province of Gascony. The name Fleurance is a reference to the Italian city of Florence. Curiously, in the region there are other such references to cities in Europe, such as Geaune (Genoa), Pavie (Pavia), Miélan (Milan), Koln (Cologne) or Plaisance (Piacenza).

Fleurance was built on a hill on a regular plan. After Philippe le Bel Fleurance ceded to Edward I of England in 1287, the latter helped finance brick walls in 1292.

The center of the bastide is this building which originally was supported by 28 wooden posts. The building was dilapidated and was rebuilt in 1786. This new building burnt down in 1833. The rebuilding was completed in 1850 and now sixty square stone pillars support the story and create the covered market.

Fleurance - Mairie

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 11:11:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Fleurance - Saint-Laurent

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 22:34:21 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Fleurance was founded as a bastide in the 13th century. It lies in the heart of the former province of Gascony. The name Fleurance is a reference to the Italian city of Florence. Curiously, in the region there are other such references to cities in Europe, such as Geaune (Genoa), Pavie (Pavia), Miélan (Milan), Koln (Cologne) or Plaisance (Piacenza).

Fleurance was built on a hill on a regular plan. After Philippe le Bel Fleurance ceded to Edward I of England in 1287, the latter helped finance brick walls in 1292.

A few years later, the construction of Saint-Laurent begins. The imposing church (70 m long and 35 m wide) is an example of the Southern Gothic style. The influence of Toulouse is very evident in this construction.

Montpezat-de-Quercy - Collégiale Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 21:44:12 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

The village of Montpezat-de-Quercy is a bastide in the province of Quercy Blanc. Like the very most of the bastide it was planned around a central market square that is surriunded by half timbered houses with it shady arcades.

The remains of a Gallo-Roman settlement were found, but the town reached its peak in the Middle Ages, ruled by the noble family Montpezat. They were accused of Cathar-heresy around 1250 and were replaced by the Prés family.

A well known member of them is 1280, Pierre des Prés, born 1280. His parents were anxious that he join the priesthood. He was called (aged 26) to the service of Pope John XXII, who was a native of Cahors. During his lifetime Pierre des Prés held many positions of high office and offered great loyalty to the Pope. He became Vice-Chancellor of the Roman Church and led a distinguished career of over 45 years until he died of the plague in 1361.

Being rich and influental Vice-Chancellor he wished to erect a church in the village of his birth and Prés arranged for the construction of the Saint Martin Collegiate Church. It was built in the southern French Gothic style and was consecrated in 1343.

About 200 years later Flemish tapestries were made for the choir of the collegiate church, telling the life of Saint Martin.

Saint Martin sharing his cloak. To the right a Moorish horseman wearing a turban. In the forground the poor, amputated man using a crutch.

Montpezat-de-Quercy - Collégiale Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 21:19:01 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montpezat-de-Quercy - Collégiale Saint-Martin

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 21:04:11 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Montpezat-de-Quercy

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 20:35:04 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mirepoix - Cathédrale Saint-Maurice

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 21:24:09 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Mirepoix, part of the independent fiefdom of Foix, was a stronghold of the Cathars, who held a council here in 1206. Only 3 years later (1209) Simon de Montfort´s armee captured the town after a siege. He gave it to one of his lieutenants, Guy de Lévis. Raymond Roger von Foix reconquered Mirepoix in 1223 and re-installed the Cathar Pierre-Roger de Mirepoix.

After the Treaty of Paris (1229), that ended the Albigensian Crusade and the political autonomy of Occitan, the town was given back to Guy de Lévis, whose son moved the town after a devasting flood (1289) to higher grounds and had it rebuilt as a "bastide". This layout was never changed, so in the center is a large rectangular place, named today "Place du Maréchal-Leclerc".

The erection of the church started in 1298 and the construction continued over centuries. The structure, completed in the typical "gothique méridional" style, was restored in the 19th century by Prosper Mérimée and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc.

The parish church was between 1317 and 1801 the seat of the Bishop of Mirepoix. In the early 14th century many small and very small dioceses were founded within the former Cathar area. Mirepoix was one of them.

Other dioceses were founded at the same time in Saint Papoul (1317-1801 / 40kms north) and Alet-le-Bains (1318-1801 / 40kms east).

Mirepoix - Cathédrale Saint-Maurice

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 21:12:48 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Najac - Château de Najac

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 14:58:39 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France".

The Château de Najac, here seen from the valley floor, was built in 1253 on the orders of Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, on the site of an older castle. The Knights Templar were once imprisoned here.

Possession of this castle, built 200 meters over the river Aveyron, was key to control of the region.

Najac - Château de Najac

nobody@ipernity.com (Martin M. Miles) — Wed, 17 Mar 2021 11:47:06 +0000

Martin M. Miles has posted:

Najac is set along a ridge above a bend in the Aveyron River. Najac was founded as one of the five bastides of (historic) Rouergue. The "faubourg" has the typical architecture of many bastide villages with timber-framed houses and commercial arcades around an open area. Today Najac only has a population of about 700, but over the summer months there are many tourists, as Najac is one of the "Plus beaux villages de France" - the "most beautiful villages in France",
The Château de Najac was built in 1253 on the orders of Alphonse de Poitiers, brother of Saint Louis, on the site of an older castle, built in 1100. The Knights Templar were once imprisoned here.
Possession of this castle, built 200 meters over the river Aveyron, was key to control of the region. After having been used as a stone quarry in the 19th century, the castle went into private ownership and by now is open to the public.