Study of the wall parameters and analysis of the buildings The readings taken by P. Benouville in 1884 clearly showed up the relative deterioration of the access and flanking works, as well as of the ramparts themselves. The absence of coverings over the towers and the outbuildings, prejudicial to preservation of the ramparts, and the instability of the ramparts themselves, give a precise idea of the efforts – both technical and financial – needed to carry out credible restoration of this monumental structure, which although quite simple, is highly representative of its period. The fact that no further constructions were built must be underlined, and this was probably because the structure itself had become obsolete. The defensive wall is a quadrilateral shape, oriented north-east/south-west on the main side. The north-west wall has an internal length of 350 metres, the north-east wall of 222 metres, the south-west wall of 210 metres, and the south-east side shows a non-linear trace consisting of four segments of a straight line of unequal dimensions. Its total length is 363 metres. This layout is justified by the presence of the Baïse, which the wall approximately follows. The whole defensive system has a total length of 350 + 222 + 210 + 363 = 1,145 metres. In a good state of conservation in spite of the unauthorised use of a large part of the south-east wall by parasitic but respectful constructions, holes have been made in Vianne’s ramparts to make way for a local road which crosses the bastide, over the new bridge built around the 1850s by a private company. Round a bend, the local road joins one of the two north-east/south-west routes. The one which does not lead to the defensive gates, leaves the bastide through a breach in the ramparts. The detailed survey is a bit imprecise in the north-east part, where the bridge is. Although the defensive organisation remains clear all round the peripheral layout, the original buildings have lost some of their height to the benefit of the walls and some of their habitability to the benefit of the towers. The rather romantic appearance of this deterioration, relating to time rather than to human activity, can be noted in the lithographs of the 19th century, and in the surveys made by P. Benouville, a diocesan architect, and which show where the original height of the ramparts has diminished and the fact that the tops of all the towers have collapsed. From these surveys, restoration projects began to take shape from 1884, mainly for the south-west and west gates. The existence of putlog holes under the crenels crowning the gates, suggested (but without any proof) the presence of hoardings. Nevertheless, restoration of the buildings was foreseen using this typical roofing. The plans were precise, covering the whole vocabulary of defensive architecture. They included reconstruction of the pole-axe, the folding door, and even the drawbridge, although there was no proof of the latter’s existence. The gate keeper’s room, on the upper floor and accessible by means of an external staircase, was to be restored as well. Nothing was lacking for the restoration project except financing. A new study begun by Rapine, an architect of historic monuments, was only launched at the beginning of the 20th century. The proposal was simpler and concerned a part of the defence works, the north-west gate and the north corner tower. Although more moderate, the project took on its final shape just before the First World War. The ramparts, the other gates and corner towers were rebuilt as they are seen today in the period between the First and Second World Wars.