The old Roman road crossing Vesontio is still the main road through Besançon. Today, it is partly pedestrian and the site of some fine mansions - Hôtel d'Emskerque (n° 44), de Pourcheresse de Fraisans (n° 67), Terrier de Santans (n° 68) and the former Carmelites' convent (n° 86-88) with Victor Hugo's birthplace at n° 140.