Porte de Champagne, Medieval gate in Levroux, France.
The Porte de Champagne features two connected towers with a fortified wall running between them, showing how cities protected themselves in the 1400s. The structure is solid and angular, built from stone with thick walls that remain intact today.
The gate was built in 1436 under King Charles VII as part of the city defenses protecting Levroux. It was one of three entrance gates that together formed the protective ring around the town.
The gate marks a clear boundary between the oldest neighborhoods and the newer parts of town that grew later. Visitors can see where the medieval town once ended and the open countryside began.
Access to the upper levels is being improved with a newly constructed staircase, while interior and exterior stonework is undergoing complete renovation. Visitors should expect to see ongoing restoration work both inside and around the structure.
The gate will display a permanent exhibition with reconstructions of medieval weapons including bows, crossbows, and early firearms. This collection lets visitors understand the defense techniques that people relied on nearly 600 years ago.
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