Timeline

Origin and history

The remains of the Alençon ramparts, located in Orne, date mainly from the 16th century, although their present appearance is the result of major changes in the 19th century. These transformations, carried out in Henry II style, were designed to create a recreational setting for a private property. The three preserved turrets, in granite and brick, incorporate discrete defensive elements such as murderers, while adopting an ornamental function.

The structure consists of a granite retaining wall flanked by two turrets, with overhanging parapets resting on crows. A third turret, similar, is connected by a partially extinct wall, with the exception of a section with three arches in the middle. These vestiges, although devoid of an urban military vocation, reveal a duality between residential aesthetics and defensive heritage, as evidenced by the openings for firearms.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 18 May 1971, the ramparts are now owned by a private company. Their location, between Rue du Pont-Neuf and Rue de la Poterne in Alençon, reflects their integration into the contemporary urban fabric. However, the accuracy of their historical location remains limited (level 5/10), highlighting the documentary gaps in their original context.

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