Tricot Postern Gate

Through this small doorway, we’re going to step outside the medieval walls for a moment. Set into the ramparts, it’s a postern gate that shares its name with the mansion next to it and the street it leads to.

You can see right away that it’s far less imposing than the city’s main entrances, posterns were designed precisely so residents could slip in and out discreetly without being spotted by attackers.

That’s why they were never grand, monumental gateways, but rather small arches cut into the fortifications. Once outside, we’ll turn left and follow the Boulevard du Midi to the next gate, the Porte de Saillé. The section of ramparts along this stretch is unique in that it was rebuilt after the French Revolution, as the original walls were destroyed by the very last cannon shot ever fired at the city.

To reconstruct them, stones were taken from various calvaries in the surrounding area, which is why this part of the fortifications is nicknamed the “Courtine des Calvaires,” or “Curtain Wall of the Calvaries.” As for this postern, it wasn’t built until 1854, though there was likely an earlier one here before that. Go ahead and walk through to reach the avenue.