Old rampart

While still on Joseph Vernet Street, we’ll take a left to catch a glimpse of something far older than the mansions we’ve just left behind. Check out the wall right at the corner of Saint-Charles Street. Notice the section made of stone, sticking out like a sore thumb? That’s all that remains of the medieval ramparts that surrounded the city all the way back to the 1200s! The street was located on the outer bailey, essentially the area between the first and second fortifications of the city. Like many other medieval cities, Avignon had double the protection, as it was surrounded by not one, but two walls. Back then, this area was known as Rue des Lices Antiques, aka Outer Bailey Street, and it was entirely paved. Between the 17th and 18th centuries, the city walls were gradually demolished to make room for Avignon’s growing population. That’s when the Joseph Vernet Street was built, along with all the mansions lining it. Luckily, this tiny piece of the wall survived, allowing us to pinpoint the location of the old fortifications. Keep walking straight ahead and you’ll come across the Calvet Museum next.