Remparts d'Avignon
Remparts d'Avignon features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Avignon. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Avignon Avignon guide
About Remparts d'Avignon
Avignon's near-complete ring of medieval city walls encircling the old town, about 4.3 kilometres long, built by the popes from 1357 and heavily restored by Viollet-le-Duc.
Avignon's historic centre is encircled by a near-complete circuit of medieval city walls, running about 4.3 kilometres and enclosing roughly 150 hectares. Construction of the present ramparts began in 1357 under Pope Innocent VI and took about 20 years, built during the Avignon Papacy to protect the city from raiders and from Rhone flooding. The circuit includes dozens of towers and several fortified gates; the number of gates was reduced from twelve to seven when the defences were modified between 1481 and 1487.
From about 1860 the walls were restored by Eugene Viollet-le-Duc, work often described as a partial re-invention rather than strict conservation, since the original walls stood higher behind a moat. Considered one of the best-preserved medieval city-wall circuits in France, the ramparts still fully ring the historic core, keeping the intra-muros old town distinct from the modern city, with a boulevard now running outside much of the wall. They form part of the Historic Centre of Avignon inscribed by UNESCO in 1995.
Did you know? The walls are unusually complete: about 4.3 kilometres of them still ring the old town, one reason Avignon is considered among the best-preserved walled cities in France.
How long is a visit to Remparts d'Avignon?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Remparts d'Avignon. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Remparts d'Avignon worth your time?
Remparts d'Avignon is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Avignon, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Avignon
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about Remparts d'Avignon and read more:
Day 1 of the Avignon in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of Remparts d'Avignon
Preview the Avignon tour free in the Gingerguide app.