Lille Gate, Medieval gate in Ypres, Belgium

The Lille Gate is a stone gate in Ypres with a wide rounded arch over the road, a band of small rectangular openings above it and a flat parapet. It links two preserved sections of the town ramparts and combines a land gate with a water gate: the Ieperlee enters the city through it, and a lock chamber with sluice gates stands to its right.

The gate dates from the 14th century, when it was known as the Mesenpoort and finished with Burgundian towers. In the 17th century Vauban had the tower lowered and the main rampart widened. It was rebuilt after damage in the First World War and today links two surviving stretches of the Ypres ramparts.

The gate was long known as the Mesenpoort, after the road to Mesen, before taking the name of the road to Rijsel (Lille). It is a water gate as well as a land gate: the Ieperlee enters the city through it, and the lock chamber on its right side holds the sluice doors for the streams and moat waters.

The gate is located south of Ypres town center and is easily reached on foot from the market square. Walking there gives you a chance to explore the surrounding streets and get a sense of the historic area.

The gate combines a land passage with a water gate: it separates the Majoorgracht from the Kasteelgracht. On its right side is the lock chamber with the sluice gates of the streams and moat waters, while the vaulted hall entrance lies to the left. The Ieperlee enters the city here through a bed about 2.5 metres deep.