FIG. 59. GUARD-ROOM ON WALL, ST ANDRÉ.
Some remains of the outer barbican which protected the approach to the gateway may still be observed.
The walls of enceinte of St André present some interesting and picturesque details. The great round tower at the south-west angle ([Fig. 57]) and the plain curtains adjoining it are very characteristic of the period, and have more of a Northern than a Southern aspect.
FIG. 60. REMAINS OF A GUARD-ROOM ON WALL, ST ANDRÉ.
The interior of the walls, with their parapets and parapet walks, are in good preservation, and form fine illustrations of these features. In the long stretch of the north wall, in which there are no towers to protect the parapet walks or to contain guard-rooms or posts for reliefs of sentries, small chambers were formed at intervals for that purpose on the top of the wall (Figs. 59, 60). These now present a very quaint appearance, and are suggestive of many a cold and weary watch. They were only large enough to hold half-a-dozen men, but they constituted points which guarded the circulation on the “chemins de rondes.” They were provided with a fireplace and loops to the exterior, and had little spy-holes looking along the parapet walks. The latter are widened towards the interior of the walls with corbelling, and follow the slope of the ground, with steps at intervals.