Classification of historical monuments 18 mars 1963 (≈ 1963)
Decree of protection of Gallo-Roman remains.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Gallo-Roman monuments (archeological vestiges of ramparts and substructions) (cd. K 2809, 2810, 2812, 2813, 2819): classification by decree of 18 March 1963
Origin and history
The Gallo-Roman ramparts of Aix-en-Provence are a collection of archaeological remains located in the historic heart of the city. These defensive structures, characteristic of the Gallo-Roman period, bear witness to the strategic importance of the ancient city of Aquae Sextiae, founded in the 1st century BC. Their presence illustrates urban planning and the fortification techniques used under Roman domination in Provence.
The remains were officially recognized for their heritage value by a classification of historical monuments, which was issued by decree on 18 March 1963. This classification relates specifically to the substructures and preserved elements of the ramparts, located in the area of the Cours des Minimes and Avenue Jean Dalmas. Their preservation allows us to study the urban evolution of Aix-en-Provence, from its Roman origin to its medieval and modern development.
From an architectural point of view, the Gallo-Roman ramparts consist mainly of foundations and low stone parts, typical of the military buildings of the period. Their current location, in the city centre, highlights the overlap between the contemporary urban fabric and the traces of antiquity. Although partially visible, these remains offer a concrete overview of the ancient past of the region, complementing historical knowledge of the Romanization of Provence.
