Arche de l'enceinte de Philippe Auguste

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The arch of Philippe Auguste's enclosure (sometimes also called the arch of the Bièvre) is an opening in Philippe Auguste's enclosure that allowed the Bièvre River to enter Paris. Important underground remains were discovered in 1989 during work under the post office of Jussieu.

Philippe Auguste's enclosure was built on the left bank from 1200 to 1215 to protect Paris. The Bièvre River approaches Paris via the southeast. It had its natural outlet in the Seine at the site of the current Pont d'Austerlitz. In 1150, a bypass canal was created to power the Saint-Victor Abbey: the Victorine Canal. The river then reached further west and downstream of the Seine, at the site of the current rue de Bièvre. During the construction of Philippe Auguste's enclosure, it was therefore necessary to create an opening in the wall to allow the passage of the river: it is the ark of Philippe Auguste's enclosure. It was about 50 metres northeast of the Saint-Victor Gate Later, from 1356 to 1383, King Charles V built the enclosure which bears his name on the most...