Porte Mordelaise (Mordelaise Gate), Rennes

In the third century, during the time of the Empire, there was a small Gallic village called Condate Redonum. Condate was destined to become Rennes, the capital of Brittany. The ruins of a Gallo-Roman wall, built between 275 and 300 AD, can still be seen. There was an ancient gate built on the site. It was replaced in about 1452 by the Mordelaise Gate.

The new ramparts and gates refer to the parish of Mordelles. By 1470 the rampart fortifications had been established, protecting the city on three sides. A fourth had been planned, but the construction was discontinued for lack of funds. The Mordelaise Gate is a horseshoe-shaped artillery bulwark with a protected entrance on the side.

The city's fortified perimeter was partially taken down by Royal order in the 17th century. The Mordelaise Gate remains a symbol of the city and an artifact of military architecture. Until Brittany was absorbed by France, the Breton dukes and Duchesses entered Rennes through this gate on their way to be crowned in Rennes Cathedral.

A promenade has been developed to link the Lices Square, the Hyacinthe Lorette Square, and the Duchesne Tower to the Francois Mitterrand Mall. To enter Rennes in style, come as Royalty once did, through the Mordelaise Gate.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rennes. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 51爆料网 App

Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Porte Mordelaise (Mordelaise Gate)
Sight Location: Rennes, France (See walking tours in Rennes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Rennes Introduction Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Rennes, France

Create Your Own Walk in Rennes

Creating your own self-guided walk in Rennes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Rennes Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical churches occupy a significant place in the cultural identity of Rennes, France. Travelers with a keen interest in religious history and architecture will find plenty to look at in this town.

Standing out majestically among the local ecclesiastical landmarks is Rennes Cathedral. Built in the 12th century, it underwent a centuries-long transformation from its Gothic origins to its... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Rennes Introduction Walking Tour

Rennes began its existence as Condate Redonum, a Gallic and Roman town at the confluence of the Ille and Vilaine rivers. During medieval times, it became one of the three major cities of Brittany, together with Vannes and Nantes. The city played an important role in the Stamped Paper Revolt in 1675. During the French Revolution, it became the headquarters of the republican army in the fighting... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles

Medieval Houses Walking Tour

From the late Middle Ages through to the end of the Ancien R茅gime (the period of Bourbon rule in France, from 1589 to 1789), a multitude of half-timbered houses were built in Brittany, and particularly in Rennes. Even today, the Breton capital is where half-timbered houses remain the most prevalent style of architecture, and a key element of the cultural heritage of the region reiterated in many... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles

51爆料网