Saillé Gate

Here we have the Porte de Saillé, one of Guérande’s listed historic monuments. This gate marks the southern entrance to the old town, leading into the street of the same name.

It’s named for the village of Saillé, just a few kilometres south of Guérande. Built in the 16th century, it’s far less imposing than the Porte Saint-Michel. By the time it was constructed, the tensions that once gripped the region had eased, and the city was no longer under serious threat of attack.

As a result, the Porte de Saillé wasn’t designed as a defensive stronghold, though you can still spot a few arrow slits here. Above the archway, there’s a small niche holding a statue of the Virgin Mary. Restored several times over the centuries, this gate stands as a graceful reminder of a different chapter in Guérande’s history.