On leaving the Cathedral, the tourist arrives almost immediately at the small Place Châtel, the highest point of the town. Take, the Rue Châtel to the Châtel Gate.
CHÂTEL GATE. BEHIND THE CATHEDRAL.
From the ancient “Fermeté” rampart, only this machicolated gate (formerly called “Champenoise”) is visible near the small “Place Châtel.”
On leaving the Châtel Gate, go down the Rue des Hauts Fins to the corner of the Rue Montgaud: Blockhouse for four machine-guns to defend the town.
Cross the Esplanade de la Roche to the Citadelle.
THE CITADELLE
From the Esplanade de la Roche, the arrangement of which dates from 1780–1783, there is a fine view of the Meuse valley and the prairies known as Pré-l’Evêque.
The entrance to the Citadelle opens on the Esplanade de la Roche, while the Citadelle proper occupies the site of the ancient Abbey and Church of St. Vanne, erected in the Merovingian Period and 15th century on the hill where, in the days of Clovis, the Dragon with poisoned breath was said to live. According to the legend St. Vanne first tamed the dragon, then led it to the River Meuse, where it was drowned.