Dauphin bastion (16th c)

The Dauphin bastion was located opposite the Royal bastion. Together they defended the northern entrance to the town in the 16th-century fortified wall. Each of the two flanks of the bastion featured a pillbox housing a piece of artillery. The cannons were oriented to fire flanking shots between the two bastions, preventing the enemy from advancing.
The cannon sticking out of the embrasure today is nicknamed Lacan, after a gunner from Saint-Paul de Vence said to have served in the army of François I and to have brought this trophy back with him after the king's victory in Ceresole d'Alba in the Piedmont, region of Italy in 1544.