Réduit Square

Welcome to Réduit Square, where the Adour and Nive rivers meet. Before you is the imposing statue of Charles Lavigerie, one of the city’s most prominent figures. Born in 1825, this French cardinal is renowned worldwide for his fight against the enslavement of Africans. His statue, designed by Alexandre Falguière, was unveiled in 1909. But there’s still more to discover here. Take a closer look at the monument at the far end of the square. It marks the site of an old fort built by the famous architect Vauban at the request of Louis XIV back in the 17th century. The goal was to further reinforce the defenses of the city, which was fully fortified at the time. Three centuries later, however, Spain was no longer a threat, and the ramparts were demolished to free up space. All that remains today is the watchtower before you. You can climb the few steps to the top for a fantastic view out to the confluence of the two rivers. You have the Nive, on the left, which runs between the Petit and Grand Bayonne, and empties into the Adour on the right, which crosses the Basque Country and flows into the Atlantic Ocean only a few kilometers away. Take a minute to soak it all in before exploring further.