The Cité d'Aigues-Mortes (English edition)

The city of Aigues-Mortes was created ex-nihilo in the 13th century on the marshes of the Camargue. This foundation was the result of the will of King Louis IX, the future Saint Louis, of his strategic and maritime vision - to provide the kingdom of France with access to the Mediterranean - as well as his religious vision - to respect the sacred promise to reconquer the Holy Land. If there is no shortage of examples of medieval military architecture in France, the city of Aigues-Mortes is remarkable for its geographical location in contact with water and nature, for its coherent and magnificent appearance, and finally for the excellent state of conservation of the main features of the site, in particular the Constance Tower and the 1,634 metres of ramparts flanked by 20 towers. Aigues-Mortes, the starting point for the 7th and 8th crusades led by Saint-Louis in 1248 and 1270, has a special place in the history of the Holy Wars.
In this richly illustrated book, the author offers a sensitive approach to the city of Aigues-Mortes through its history and its urban dimension.