Saint-Justin (; oc, Sent Justin) is a commune in the
Landes
''Landes'', or ''Lanas'' in Gascon, means moorland or heath.
''Landes'' and ''Lanas'' come from the Latin ''plānus'' meaning “‘flat, even, level, plain’”. They are therefore cognate with the English plain (and plane), the Spanish word ...
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Nouvelle-Aquitaine (; oc, Nòva Aquitània or ; eu, Akitania Berria; Poitevin-Saintongeais: ''Novéle-Aguiéne'') is the largest administrative region in France, spanning the west and southwest of the mainland. The region was created by ...
in southwestern
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan ar ...
.
History
In 1280, Constance Viscountess de Marsan signed an “acte de paréage” (a shared sovereignty agreement) with the Order of chivalry of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, with which they founded the new Bastide of Saint-Justin. This agreement was signed without the authorization of Edward I, King of England, then Duke of Aquitaine.
Structure
The fortified town of Saint-Justin has the typical rectangular central square covered with arches and surrounded by half-timbered and stone houses with mullioned windows. Under the arcades, there are many shops, providing a walk for pedestrians and shelter from sun and rain. The town has three octagonal towers and a walkway along the ramparts and the tower wall.