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Fortress · Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Nova Aquitânia
Citadelle du Mendiguren
17th-century fortress on top of Mount Mendiguren above the village, altered by Vauban, with walls and views of the Pyrenees and the Nive valley.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Citadelle du Mendiguren
The citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port occupies the top of Mount Mendiguren, about one hundred metres above the valley, on the site of a castle of the kings of Navarre. After Lower Navarre passed to the kingdom of France, the position, which controls the passage through the Pyrenees, gained a new fortress. Construction began in 1647 to a design by Antoine de Ville, and the engineer Vauban made modifications from 1685.
It is an approximately rectangular fortress, about 100 by 160 metres, surrounded by walls and with four bastions, two gates protected by drawbridges and half-moons (lunettes). It could house around 600 soldiers. It never faced battle, was demilitarized in 1814 and, since 1965, has housed a school; for that reason the interior is not open to general visitation.
What you visit is the exterior: the path that climbs from the rua da Cidadela, the moats, the walls and, above all, the view. From the top you can see the roofs of the town, the valley of the Nive, the Basque villages around and the line of the Pyrenees, along which the Caminho continues toward Roncesvalles.
A stone staircase descends from the citadel toward the town, offering an alternative route to the main street.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 to 45 minutes, including the climb and the return along the ramparts.
Best time
Late afternoon, when the low light brings out the mountains, or early in the morning. On clear days the view of the Pyrenees is more extensive.
How to get there
Go up the rua da Cidadela to the Porte Saint-Jacques and follow the path that leads to the fortress — about a 10 to 15-minute walk uphill.
Tip
Descend via the stone stairway on the town side: the path runs inside the walls and ends near the church.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Citadelle du Mendiguren
Can you enter the citadel of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port?
The interior has housed a school since 1965 and is not open for general visits. The ascent path, the ramparts and the view are freely accessible.
Who built the citadel?
Construction began in 1647 to a design by Antoine de Ville, and Vauban made modifications from 1685 onward.
How long does the climb to the citadel take?
About 10 to 15 minutes on foot from rua da Cidadela.