Philippe Auguste Wall, Memorial in the 3rd arrondissement, Paris, France
The Enceinte Philippe Auguste is a medieval city wall in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, preserved today as a memorial with a commemorative plaque. Only a few fragments of the original structure remain, embedded in the urban fabric and surrounded by the streets of the neighborhood.
Construction of the wall began around 1190 on the right bank of the Seine to protect Paris from outside threats, and was completed around 1215. As the city expanded over the following centuries, most of the wall was dismantled, leaving only scattered sections standing today.
The Enceinte Philippe Auguste is a reminder for people in the Marais that their streets and buildings often follow the old fortification lines. Looking closely at the layout of the neighborhood, you can still trace the path the wall once took through the city.
The remains of the wall are accessible on foot and easy to come across during a walk through the 3rd arrondissement. Visiting during the day is the best approach, when the surroundings are well lit and the streets are active.
A plaque at the site notes that this wall is the second medieval enclosure of Paris whose exact layout is still known today. Visitors walking through certain courtyards and cellars in Paris can unknowingly find themselves standing next to one of its towers.
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