Porte Saint Vincent

City Gate in Vannes

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Jean-Christophe BENOIST

The Porte Saint-Vincent is a prominent historical gateway in Vannes, Brittany, serving as the main entrance to the city’s old town. Constructed between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, it replaced the earlier Kaër-Calmont gate to provide improved access from the port to the walled city. Designed by Breton architect Jean Bugeau, the gate exemplifies Baroque architecture, featuring a granite ashlar façade with three bays framed by columns and spanning three levels. The lower level includes a central carriage arch flanked by a pedestrian door and a blind bay; the second level houses two niches alongside the city’s coat of arms; and the third level showcases a central niche adorned with volutes.

In 1624, the gate was named in honor of Saint Vincent Ferrier, a Dominican preacher who died in Vannes in 1419. A statue of the saint was originally installed in the central niche that same year, sculpted by Guillaume Lemarchand. This statue was destroyed during the French Revolution and replaced in 1891, coinciding with the addition of the city’s coat of arms to the façade. A local legend suggests that if the statue’s hand ever lowers, the city will be submerged by water.

Over time, the structure suffered damage from tidal erosion and required several restorations. Notably, in 1747, engineer Duchemin undertook significant repairs, preserving Bugeau’s original façade while removing the roof and upper chamber. The gate was officially listed as a historic monument in 1928 and remains a key feature of Vannes’ heritage, marking the transition from the port area to the historic city center.

The Porte Saint Vincent appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Vannes!

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