From the top of rue de la Citadelle, next to Porte St-Jacques, a rough cobblestone ramp then footpath ascends to the massive citadel itself, from where there's a spectacular panorama of the town, surrounding rolling hills and steep slopes of nearby Irouleguy vineyards. Constructed in 1628, the fort was rebuilt around 1680 by military engineers of the Vauban school. Nowadays it serves as a secondary school and is closed to the public.
From the panoramic table in front of the school, bear right to follow signs for "Poterne-Église" – a footpath outside the citdel's moss-covered ramparts which leads downhill through woods back to the river and Porte Notre-Dame.
