Gardette Gate, City gate in Aigues-Mortes, France
Porte Gardette is a city gate on the northern side of the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes, in southern France. The gate is built from thick stone and features a small outer defensive enclosure at the front, with visible traces of a former drawbridge.
Porte Gardette was built in the 13th century alongside the rest of the town walls, when King Louis IX founded Aigues-Mortes as a departure port for the Crusades. Over time, a small outer enclosure was added to reinforce the entrance and make it harder to break through.
The gate is easy to reach on foot from within the old town and serves as a natural starting point for a walk along the ramparts. Visiting in the morning or early afternoon gives more room to move around and take in the stonework without crowds.
The name of the gate comes from an old French word for a guard post, a direct reference to the soldiers who were stationed here permanently. On the outer facade, you can still see the stone slots where the beams of the old drawbridge once sat.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
