Once past the ‘Porte de l’Avancée’, situated at the entrance of the ramparts, begins the ‘Grande Rue’ (High Street), the only street in the village. This long ascending street winds around the rock and takes visitors to the foot of the great external step, a wide staircase of 100 steps that leads to the entrance of the abbey. In the village, most of the old houses have disappeared. Only a few stone or half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries remain untouched. However, in order to preserve the picturesque character of the village, many of the buildings have been rebuilt in the same, medieval style.