The Henri Layet fortifications discovery walk

GLOSSARY

The County of Nice: at the time when the County of Provence was being ravaged by civil

war following the murder of Queen Joanna, the vigueries (or administrative court areas)

of Eastern Provence (Puget-Théniers, Val de Lantosque, Nice, Villeneuve) and the

bailiwick of Barcelonnette split away from Provence and in 1388 came under the

protection of the Count of Savoy, Amadeus VII. Known as the “New Found Lands of

Provence”, then subsequently the County of Nice, this area became part of France in

1860.

A half-tower or open-gorged tower: this kind of tower is open on the side (or back) where

it leads directly onto the interior of a square.

Machicolation: a gallery built between corbels at the top of a fortified structure with a

floor that has openings or slits where objects could be dropped down onto attacking

troops.

Berm: a level, horizontal strip of land or terrace cutting through a slope to prevent it

from collapsing or sliding.

Embrasure : an opening in a casemate or parapet to allow for firing.

Casemate : a vaulted, artillery-proof chamber

where a cannon was placed.

Curtain wall: a wall built between two bastions or bulwarks on a fortification.

Bastion : an angular (often pentagonal) fortified structure, projecting outward along a perimeter wall. A bastion has two faces, two flanks and an opening or gorge.

Flanking fire: firing was possible parallel to the curtain wall from one bastion to another

to completely cover the exposure points along the perimeter wall.

Rempart : enceinte formée par une levée

de terre dont la poussée est retenue

par un mur de soutènement en maçonnerie.

Rampart: a broad embankment raised as a

fortification using a defensive stone structure.

Orillon : a semi-circular or squared-off projection that formed one side of a bastion along

its flank, to protect cannons placed in the adjacent casemate.

Structures/Works: elements of a fortification (tower, bastion, curtain wall…).

May rose: also known as rosa centifolia, is one of the rare roses used in the creation of

perfumes. It originated in the Eastern Caucasus and travelled through Persia before

finally reaching Europe at the end of the 16th century. It is harvested in May and early

June. It has a rich, heady and sweet scent.

Bitter orange: this is a variety of orange tree that produces bitter fruit. The blossom is

used in perfume making.