Enceinte médiévale de Castets, Medieval fortification near Bougue, France
The enceinte médiévale de Castets is a medieval fortification set on a plateau between two rivers near Bougue, in southwest France. The site covers a large area with noticeable changes in elevation, earthen mounds, and visible traces of several construction phases.
The plateau was already occupied in prehistoric times and continued to be used through the medieval period. In the 13th century, the site was chosen for the creation of a new town, but the project was abandoned before it was finished.
The name Castets comes from a Latin word meaning small castle, which points directly to the original purpose of this fortified post. The site sits on the border between the Landes region and Gascony, a boundary that shaped how people here lived and moved for centuries.
The site is freely accessible and has marked trails and information panels to help visitors find their way around. The ground is uneven in places, so sturdy footwear is a good idea before heading out.
Excavations on the plateau uncovered traces of a street grid that was laid out for the planned medieval town but never built upon. These traces make it possible to read what was once intended for the site, even though no buildings ever rose from the ground.
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