Remparts gallo-romains de Bourges, Roman defensive walls in Bourges, France
The Remparts gallo-romains de Bourges is a fortified enclosure laid out in an elliptical shape with multiple towers and thick walls that span across several neighborhoods of the city. Different sections survive in varying states of preservation, from substantial standing walls to low stone foundations embedded within modern buildings and streets.
The fortification was built in the 4th century as a defensive structure, reusing materials from earlier Roman buildings in its construction. When Roman power declined, the walls lost their original military purpose, but medieval builders later incorporated them into new structures, which helped preserve portions of them.
The walls became embedded in medieval buildings over time, particularly in the Jacques Coeur Palace, where you can see how medieval builders incorporated the older structures into their designs. Walking through the old quarters, you notice how the city grew by layering new construction on top of these ancient foundations.
The most accessible sections are found within the inner neighborhoods and can be easily explored on foot since the walls form part of the street layout and building exteriors. To see the full extent, plan to walk through several districts, so getting oriented with the city's layout beforehand or carrying a map helps.
Many visitors overlook that the foundations of these ancient walls measure three meters thick and contain large stone blocks from first-century Roman structures that were recycled from earlier buildings. This solid construction reveals how Roman builders efficiently used available materials while creating structures strong enough to survive to the present day.
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