Porte des deux moulins de la rochelle, Medieval fortified gate in La Rochelle, France
The Two Mills Gate includes defensive elements such as gun slits and a crenellated parapet between two pilasters on its upper section.
The original gate, built around 1200, was relocated in 1622 and reinforced with a hook-shaped structure that was later demolished in 1628.
Eleanor of Aquitaine donated two tide mills to the Knights Templar in 1139, which later gave the gate its current name.
The gate stands as part of the Ladies Fort complex and remains accessible within walking distance of La Rochelle city center.
Originally designed as a postern rather than a cart entrance, the gate provided specific access to the mills near the Lafond stream mouth.
Location: La Rochelle
Address: rue des Deux Moulins
GPS coordinates: 46.15530,-1.15900
Latest update: June 23, 2025 11:47
La Rochelle documents over seven centuries of French maritime history through its medieval fortifications and Renaissance architecture. The old port is guarded by three stone towers from the 14th and 15th centuries - the Saint Nicolas Tower, the Tour de la Chaîne, and the Lantern Tower - which once controlled access to the sea. The Great Clock Gate from 1476 connects the harbor front to the old city streets. The city center preserves buildings from the 16th through 18th centuries, with arcaded passages along Rue du Palais and Rue des Merciers. The Fontaine des Pilori dates from the 16th century, while the City Hall features Renaissance facades from 1595. The Musée du Nouveau Monde examines La Rochelle's transatlantic trade connections. The Les Minimes marina now serves more than 5,000 boats, making it one of the largest yacht harbors on the French Atlantic coast. The modern Passerelle Nelson Mandela, opened in 1993, carries pedestrians across the main harbor. Beyond the city center, the bridge to Île de Ré extends roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) across the Bay of Biscay.
Tour Saint-Nicolas
430 m
Vieux-Port de La Rochelle
420 m
Tour de la Lanterne
152 m
Tour de la Chaîne
368 m
Grosse Horloge
517 m
Parc Animalier Charles-Édouard Beltremieux
297 m
La Coursive/Scène Nationale La Rochelle
341 m
Prefecture hotel of Charente-Maritime
281 m
Musée des modèles réduits
432 m
Clocher Saint-Jean de la Rochelle
280 m
Plage de la Concurrence
135 m
Parc Charruyer
225 m
Église des Carmes
392 m
Bastion du Gabut
442 m
Hôtel Leclerc, La Rochelle
436 m
Hôtel particulier, 15 rue Verdière, La Rochelle
420 m
Villa Alsace, La Rochelle
399 m
Maison Pillaud
531 m
Maison Léon
580 m
Musée du flacon à parfum
562 m
Passerelle Nelson Mandela
402 m
Admiral Duperré
533 m
The Wave
281 m
Monument to Eugène Fromentin
536 m
Maison, 1 rue Chef-de-Ville (La Rochelle)
524 m
La Rochelle front range light
522 m
Fortifications maritimes de La Rochelle
301 m
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