Bordering the Baïse River, Vianne is a magnificent testament to the medieval past of Albret, one of the few bastides that has managed to preserve all of its fortifications from the ravages of time and man. This new town appeared at the end ofthe 13thcentury, at a time when Aquitaine had been torn between the kings of France and England since 1152. In that year, the Duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor, married Henry Plantagenet, shortly after being repudiated by Louis VII, King of France. When her new husband was crowned King of England in 1154, becoming Henry II Plantagenet, Eleanor had already placed Aquitaine in her bridal basket.
Entering through one of the gate towers, visitors can explore the bastide and its secrets, stepping back in time... Here, they will discover what many historians consider to be a model of medieval town planning. Many mysteries remain, not least surrounding the church: oral tradition continues to pass down enigmatic messages.
At the beginning ofthe 13thcentury, Vital de Gontaut-Biron was Lord of Montgaillard, Lord of Villelongue, and other places. He had two daughters: Vianne, the eldest, married Amanieu VI, Lord of Albret and Lord of Nérac, but her marriage was annulled on the grounds of kinship. She remarried the knight Hélie de Castillon, but they soon had disputes over property. In 1271, after proving the falsity of the reason that had led to her separation from Amanieu, Vianne obtained the annulment of her second marriage. But her first husband had remarried in the meantime.
In July 1271, Vianne had given the seigneury of Montgaillard and its dependencies to her nephew Jourdain V, Count of Isle Jourdain. However, it was not until 1279, after numerous legal proceedings, that he was able to take possession of it: Vianne's second husband had hastily sold his wife's properties when he learned that she was going to leave him.
In 1279, the Agenais region (including Villelongue) was returned to the English following the Treaty of Amiens, and Vianne was therefore founded under English rule.
An act of paréage (agreement of reciprocal rights and duties) was signed on November 22, 1284 between Jehan de Grailly, seneschal of the King of England, and Jourdain V, for a bastide to be built under the jurisdiction of Montgaillard. It should have been named Villelongue since it was built on the site of that name. However, out of a natural sense of gratitude towards his aunt, Jourdain wanted it to be called Vianne.
Vianne de Gontaut had been involved in charitable foundations for many years, first establishing a Dominican convent in Condom, then another in Prouillan. She died in Condom in February 1281, in the first of these convents.
In the13thcentury, numerous new towns, often fortified, appeared in southwestern France: the bastides.
These were essentially cities built from scratch (a novo), where people with varied but converging interests gathered. Wandering populations (Cathars), sudden population growth during a long period of peace, individuals seeking to escape servitude, lords and kings seeking to colonize the borders of their possessions... There was no shortage of interested parties.
Endowed with local and democratic political power, they had an economic and agricultural purpose: the consuls' houses, markets, and fairs had to be gathered in one place. The geometric rationality of the Gothic world and its urban planning (orthogonal layout, central square, allocation of plots, etc.) enabled their development.
The square is the heart of the village, with four streets intersecting at right angles, following an orthogonal (checkerboard) layout characteristic of bastides; it also provides a location from which a single watchman could keep an eye on all four gate towers. In order to control access, the gates were equipped with sophisticated defensive mechanisms: portcullis, machicolations, arrow slits, inverted door hinges, bretèches, barbicans, moats, and drawbridges. The ramparts, with a perimeter of 1,250 meters, were equipped with a parapet walk and crenellated walls; these were also pierced at regular intervals with holes for assembling hoardings in case of attack. The complex was completed by two round towers and another square tower, placed at the corners, all of which can still be seen today.
The current Saint Christophe church was first consecrated under the name of Sainte-Marie de Villelongue, then renamed Notre-Dame. It is believed to be the work of the Knights Templar, as evidenced by certain signs: there were indeed many commanderies in this region. Built around 150 years before the bastide, it was part of a village of Gallo-Roman origin called Villelongue (Vila longa), which predated the construction of Vianne. The original building was in a very simple Romanesque style, but a Gothic bay and porch were added in the14thcentury when the bastide was built and it was thought that the number of worshippers would increase rapidly.
Of particular note are the early medieval tombs (≈8thcentury) surrounding the Roman Gate. These decaying tombs (also known as "logettes") had two levels: the body was placed on the upper level and left there for the time necessary for it to decompose, then the tomb was reopened and the bones were broken so that they could be tipped down to the lower level. The space was then available for use again.
There are also numerous marks left by day laborers (workers paid by the job) all around this door, which is now walled up. These are geometric signatures engraved on their work by the builders so that they could claim payment for their work.
On the outer wall of the apse, there is a strange engraving of a wolf. One might think that it is recent graffiti, but its existence and message have been passed down through oral tradition for centuries. It is even said that there is a second engraving, which is still being sought, and that together they indicate the route of an underground passage connecting Vianne to the castle of Montgaillard. The castle was home to a garrison, whose soldiers could have come to the aid of the people of Vianne during the many attacks they suffered...
To cross the river, there was first a ford on the payssière (dam), which was later replaced by a Roman bridge. In 1747, when the bridge collapsed, a ferry using animal traction was put in place. It was not until much later, in 1844, that the current suspension bridge was built. You can still see the toll booths where the right of passage was paid. The rates were so detailed that the difference in price paid by a man depended on whether he was driving a calf or a cow.
The first lock was installed by order of Sully around 1600: the beams that closed the sluices (access points) were laid by hand. At the end ofthe 19th century, the entire system was rebuilt to mechanize it and increase its size.
The Baïse River, which was navigable for a long time, allowed the region's various products to be exported using flat-bottomed boats known as gabarres: flour, stones, wine, Armagnac, etc. The mill that can be seen here contributed to the enrichment of the Pays d'Albret region for centuries, with its flour production being shipped as far as Santo Domingo. It was finally converted into a power station at the endof the 19th century. During the20thcentury, commercial navigation gradually disappeared. Today, after more than 50 years of inactivity, this river is enjoying a new lease of life thanks to river tourism, which allows many visitors to discover the Pays d'Albret from a different perspective.
A few steps away from the southern corner of the ramparts, near the river, you will find the old wash house and its spring, restored inthe 18th century.
Vianne is also known for its expertise, which has been passed down and exported. Its renowned limestone has been used for centuries to build numerous structures, including part of the quays in Bordeaux. From 1928 onwards, it was the art of mouth-blown glass that propelled Vianne's reputation around the world.
During the20thcentury, Vianne developed around its industries, its port, and the many artisans who settled within its walls. It should be noted that, some forty years ago, the glassworks employed up to 900 people, while the town itself never had more than 1,300 inhabitants.
A festive village, Vianne offers numerous events throughout the seasons: painting competitions, exhibitions, concerts, theater, flea markets, various walks, Garbure championships, international meals, etc. Everything is an excuse to celebrate and hold a banquet. The Friday night markets punctuate the summer period from June to early September.
For more information: See details of Vianne's architectural heritage...
13th-century bastide with towers and gate towers, bretèches, ramparts
Saint-Christophe Church (12th-14th centuries) Romanesque base augmented with a Gothic porch and bay
Carolingian tombs
Suspension bridge and tolls
Canal bridge
Washing places
Lock
Payssière
Mill and marina on the Baïse River
Discover Château Le Courréjot, a family-owned estate in Condom, and share their passion for Armagnac.
From the still to the barrel cellar, discover their expertise and round out your tour with a tasting of their Armagnacs.
Discover the Hôtel Henri IV, a charming 3-star hotel located in the heart of Nérac, perfect for a weekend getaway, a stopover during your travels, or a relaxing stay.
Fancy a getaway to Albret? Discover the Hôtel Henri IV, a charming 3-star hotel located in the heart of Nérac—perfect for a weekend getaway, a stopover during your travels, or a relaxing stay.
