The history of Aigues Mortes and the destiny of France

The destiny of the Kingdom of France is closely binding with the history of the town of Aigues Mortes. 

Geoffroy de Montdragon, one of Louis IX's knights, was sent to Camargue by the king of France in 1240 to purchase land from Psalmody Abbey.  On this marshy land King Louis set about building the town of Aigues Mortes, the only royal port with access to the Mediterranean. 

Several years later, when Louis IX recovered from a grave illness, he vowed that he would set off on a crusade.  The small Camargue village was completely transformed as the first lookout towers were built and the town fortified

The royal port of Aigues-Mortes continued to develop and became the point of departure for the seventh and eighth crusades.