Avignon's low walls still form a complete loop around the city. Despite their menacing crenellations, they were never a formidable defence, even when sections were girded by a now-vanished moat. Nevertheless with the gates and towers all restored, the old ramparts still give a sense of cohesion and unity to the old town, dramatically marking it off from the modern spread of the city.
Rue de la République, the extension of cours Jean-Jaurès and the main axis of the old town, ends at place de l'Horloge , the city's main square. Beyond that is place du Palais , with the city's most imposing monument, the Palais des Papes , the Rocher des Doms park and the Porte du Rocher, overlooking the Rhône by the pont d'Avignon , or pont St-Bénézet as it's officially known.
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