Introduction
Givet (pop. 6,500) is a small historic town located in the Meuse Valley, right across the border with Belgium. The town is dominated by the Charlemont fortress, built top of a prominent hillock.
With its distinctive Mosan architecture (grey stones mixed with red bricks), Givet bears striking resemblance to Walloon cities such as Namur, Huy or Liège.
History
Throughout the Middle Ages, Givet was part of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège until the early 16th century, when it was ceded to Emperor Charles V, ruler of the rest of the Low Countries (that is, aside from the Principality of Liège). It was Charles V who ordered the construction of the citadel in 1555, which was named after him.
In 1680, the rulers of the Spanish Netherlands relinquish Givet to Louis XIV in execution of the Treaties of Nijmegen.
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