Porte des Bancs

In the Middle Ages, the bishop exercised his seigniorial rights over the butcher's shop in the Rue des Bancs. The butchers sold their wares on stalls that they set up on the public highway. It is therefore in relation to its commercial activity that the street was named rue des Bancs in the 14th century. The Porte des Bancs was one of the two round towers that framed the main gate of the "upper town".

It was originally composed of two round towers framing the entrance, topped by a guardhouse and closed by a drawbridge. Of this former gateway which closed the upper town, only one tower remains on the left. One can still see the groove where the rotation axis was supported and the groove where the beam of the drawbridge system stood.

Until the 18th century, this was the only access to the upper town from the north of the town.

Toilets are available not far away, on the side of the Rolin Museum. Temporary events sometimes take place in the Hauts-Quartiers, including the Rue des Bancs, such as street markets.