Enceinte de Langres, Medieval rampart in Langres, France
The enceinte of Langres is a fortification system that surrounds the town with walls extending several kilometers and includes defensive towers and bastions. The structure is built from pale limestone and displays different periods of reinforcement and modification.
The first walls were built in the 3rd century under Roman rule, but were changed and strengthened over many centuries. A major renovation occurred in the 17th century when King Louis XIV had the fortification modernized.
The walls remain a central part of how the town looks and feels today, shaped by the needs of different generations. Walking along them, you notice how construction styles shift and reveal the building methods that residents used across the ages.
Most of the wall can be explored on foot, with informational signs along the way explaining the various structures. Sturdy shoes are recommended, as the ground is uneven in places and some sections are steep.
One of the towers, the Tower of Navarre, was converted into a powder magazine in the 19th century to store explosives. This change of purpose shows how military structures found new uses over time.
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