Jacobins’ Gate

Welcome to the Square of Général de Gaulle. Here, you’ll come upon what was once one of the city’s most important buildings: the Jacobins’ Gate. It’s just to your right, marking the entrance to the lower town of Carcassonne. Back in medieval times, the lower town, also known as Saint-Louis bastide, was surrounded by fortifications designed to protect it from enemy attacks. Back in the 14th century, there were four gates at total built on each side: the Toulouse Gate, the Cordeliers Gate, the Carmes Gate and the Saint-Louis Gate. The latter once stood right here! It was replaced in 1779 by the gate before you, as its medieval style had fallen out of fashion, and people were more into grand, elegant gates. All 4 were eventually torn down, and only the Jacobins’ Gate was rebuilt. Today, it’s the only remnant of what was once the city walls, and it welcomes visitors into the very heart of Carcassonne. We’ll skip it for now and head over to the cathedral first, then explore the charming streets of the lower town. Let’s go!