Ramparts of Saint-Lô

The Ramparts of Saint-Lô are medieval city walls partially surviving on a rocky rise above the town, with several towers distributed along their length. The stone structures display remnants of fortification work from medieval times, though some sections bear marks of damage from later conflicts.

The walls were built in the Middle Ages as protection against attackers and saw use across several centuries. They suffered major destruction in the 20th century from warfare and were later partially rebuilt.

The towers show how medieval fortifications were built in this area, with gray stone structures that remain visible today. Local people walk past these stones regularly, part of the town's long identity as a fortified settlement.

The surviving sections are accessible on foot and pass through different parts of town. Comfortable shoes are a good idea since the ground is uneven and some areas sit on hillsides.

A notably thick wall section at the Poudrière tower reveals how massively these old fortifications were built. This unusually broad stonework was once part of a much larger defensive line that has since almost completely vanished.