Porte Saint-Michel, City gate in Guérande, France
The Porte Saint-Michel is a medieval city gate from the 15th century in Guérande, built in the Gothic style. Two round towers flank a vaulted passageway, and the outer walls are built from old roof tiles that give the stone a layered, textured look.
The gate was built around 1440-1450, shortly after the destruction of the town in 1342 triggered a major effort to fortify Guérande. Over the following centuries it served as the residence of the town captain, then as a prison during the French Revolution, and later as the town hall until 1954.
The gate sits in the center of Guérande and is easy to reach on foot or by public transport, as a bus stop and the train station are close by. The building has several floors connected by spiral staircases, which can be tricky with a stroller, though baby carriers are available to borrow.
The gate once had two separate drawbridges, one for pedestrians and one for horses and carriages, so access to the town could be managed independently for each. Inside, a small room where artillery was once stored is still visible today.
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