The Citadel of Mendiguren of Saint Jean Pied de Port !!!

Posted in France, Spain

I am reviewing older posts and so so surprise have found me several pictures all over not yet in my blog and even sights not posted ! These old memorable travels with the family of memories forever ! I am bringing you back to a fav area of my belle France. This is deep pyrénées and basque country of Saint Jean Pied de Port !! I like to tell you a bit on the Citadel of Mendiguren of Saint Jean Pied de Port !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

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I usually drive by passing this mountaineous area to go by Oloron Sainte Marie or go further into Saint Jean de Luz areas , and Spain.  We took the plunge into Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port again in the Pyrénées Atlantiques dept 64 ,region of Nouvelle Aquitaine. We drove along the most scenic route ,meaning mountains !!  And we love the City and especially its Citadelle de Mendiguren !!!

The citadel of Mendiguren with four bastions was built in 1625-1627, and then continues building it in 1640-1648. Its west wall includes artillery bunkers built in the years 1540 or 1550, to ensure the city’s fidelity. The 19C hardly modifies this citadel, which is a well-preserved and exceptional example of the military architecture as it was understood in France, in the first half of the 1600s a ramp allows to reach it. From the West half-moon, the panorama opens onto the town and the Cize basin. The fortress, occupied by a school, cannot be visited. Around the inner courtyard and against the rampart, built over vaulted underground bunkers, the barracks, the governor’s pavilion and its chapel, the powder shops and the well. I have one additional picture to show you here.

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On the hill of Mendiguren at 80 meters overhanging the fortified city stands proudly the Citadel. From the old Château des Rois de Navarre to the citadel revamped by Vauban live the tumultuous periods of this monument ;which became a college in 1965. Discover the underground rooms of the site with a guide for visits in July August on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10h30, but check ahead as after the virus all might have change.

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Dominating the city and the Nive de Béherobo is a rare and exceptional example of the bastioned fortification as conceived by the precursors of Vauban. From the Château des Rois de Navarre to the reworked citadel following the inspection of Vauban in 1685, you will discover the eminently strategic role of this stronghold, located on the main road of the ports of Cize, the main path of crossing of the Pyrenees towards the Spain…sublime !

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The Basque country tourist office on the Citadel of St Jean Pied de Port : https://www.en-pays-basque.fr/en/visit/citadelle-de-saint-jean-pied-de-port/

The city of Saint Jean Pied de Port on its heritage: https://www.st-jean-pied-de-port.fr/decouvrir/histoire-et-patrimoine/sites-et-monuments/

There you go folks,really very nice part of my belle France in the deep Pyrénées mountains, this is Saint Jean Pied de Port. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Citadel of Mendiguren of Saint Jean Pied-de-Port as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

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Published by pedmar10

I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world. My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting. Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in a retrieval system of any nature, without the written permission of the copyright holder, me. No part of this work may be modified, without the written permission of the holder, me.No part of this work may be exposed to public view in any form or by any means, without identifying the holder as the author, and with the before mentioned permission.

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