Fortifications and ramparts to visit Franche-Comté

If you see Porte Guillaume in a distant horizon, know that you are at the entrance to Vieux Dijon, in the heart of the historic centre. Indeed, this triumphal arch is set on the large place Darcy, completely pedestrian, and at the entrance to the long rue de la Liberté which is also pedestrian. Dated from the 18th century, it was built in the exact location of a pre-existing medieval gate. Built by the architect Jean-Philippe Maret, this monument was erected as a tribute to the governor of Burgundy at the time, namely Louis Bourbon-Condé more commonly known as Prince de Condé. For this reason, it was first called Porte de Condé, then Porte de la Liberté at the Revolution and finally Porte Guillaume in tribute to Guillaume de Volpiano, former priest and Italian abbot of Saint-Bénigne. On the door, registered as Historical monument in 1938, you can admire four bas-reliefs.

Poligny was once protected by twenty-five towers and five doors. It should be remembered that its location was strategic and coveted: between the Plaine plain and the Jura. The inhabitants therefore protected themselves by building rectangular walls that lost all utility when Franche-Comté became French after the Treaty of Nijmegen in 1678. Many remains of these ramparts are still visible: the towers of Paradise and Sergenterie for example. They date back to the th century. The latter, recently restored, is a beautiful example of medieval fortification. Small reminder: Machicolated (the stones around the top of the tower) made it possible to pour boiling oil into the enemy. Note that the square tower, the so-called "tower of the Library", which today belongs to Friant lyceum (the former convent of Des), was also part of the ramparts. It dates back to the th century.