Veterans Rampart Crémieu, Medieval city wall in Crémieu, France.
The Veterans Rampart runs around Crémieu with thick stone walls and watchtowers stacked in levels that follow the hillside. The entire structure encloses the medieval town in a continuous defensive ring.
The rampart began in the 13th century under orders from Grenoble's bishop to protect the growing town. It was rebuilt and strengthened several times as wars and conflicts moved across the region.
The wall shaped how medieval people organized their town and protected what mattered to them. Walking along it today, you notice how it still defines the layout and character of the entire settlement.
You can walk the rampart freely any day without fees, and parking is available at the base of the hillside. Start from the top and work your way around to see all the levels and towers at a comfortable pace.
The structure was built in seven distinct levels arranged in a pyramid shape, which was quite unusual for its time. This design meant defenders could retreat through multiple layers, making an attack far harder to succeed.
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