Porte de France (Gate of France), Nimes

The Gate of France is a Roman monument built in the 1st century BC. It was part of the Roman wall that surrounded the city back then. Though not as prominent as the main gates-Augustus Gate and Cadereau Gate-the Gate of France is notable today for its preservation. This gate wasn’t on the major Roman road Via Domitia leading to Hispania but served a secondary route instead. Originally, the city had multiple gates, but the Gate of France is the only one that remains intact. Now, it gives its name to the street that passes through it, Rue Porte de France. In 1840, it was listed as a historic monument.

The gate itself is simple, with a single semicircular arch and remains of four pilasters and a cornice on top. Back in its time, it had a portcullis and was flanked by two circular towers. Nîmes was enclosed by one of the largest Roman walls in Gaul, built during the reign of Emperor Augustus around 16-15 BC, spanning about 7 km and enclosing 220 hectares. It stood 9 meters high and 2 meters wide, with around ten gates and about 80 towers, including the Magne Tower. Today, the Augustus Gate and the Gate of France are the only two gates from that era still visible. The Gate of France, also called the Spain Gate, is marked by its single arch and blind gallery adorned with Tuscan pilasters.