Porte des Jacobins, Historical gate in Bourg-en-Bresse, France
The Porte des Jacobins is a medieval stone gate in Bourg-en-Bresse, listed as a protected historical monument, located on the rue de la République. It features a rounded arch with multiple archivolts and a carved niche to one side.
The Jacobins' convent was founded in 1414 by the Dukes of Savoy, and the gate was built in the 15th century as the main entrance to their church. The convent was badly damaged during the Revolution, but the gate survived and was listed as a historical monument in 1927.
The gate takes its name from the Dominicans, who were commonly called Jacobins in France. A carved heraldic niche to the right of the arch still displays the coat of arms of the Guyot brothers, the patrons who funded its construction.
The gate sits on the rue de la République, one of the main streets in the city center, making it easy to find on foot. Since it is an outdoor monument, it can be seen at any time of day and fits naturally into a walk through the old town.
In the early 19th century, the congregation of Saint-Joseph moved into the former convent buildings and made changes to parts of the complex, yet the gate itself was left intact. This means the gate still bears the name of an order that had long since left the site.
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