Caen in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
La porte des Champs
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The Castle Gate
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
1. La porte des Champs / The Castle Gate Marker
La porte des Champs
La «Porte de Secours» ouvre sur le faubourg et sur une campagne tardivement urbanisée. On l'appelle donc couramment porte des Champs. Il s'agit d'un très bel exemple d'architecture militaire médiévale qui permet l'approvisionnement, le renfort ou l'évacuation du château hors de la clôture des remparts de la ville. Construite au début du 13e siècle, elle est l'œuvre du roi de France Philippe Auguste. C'est alors une porterie à deux tours crénelées encadrant un passage charretier barré d'une herse. À la fin du Moyen Âge, elle connaît de nombreuses transformations, dont l'aménagement d'un corps central destiné à loger un pont-levis à flèches. On ajoute aussi un nouvel étage. Les recherches archéologiques ont confirmé la datation des charpentes de l'occupation anglaise pendant la guerre de Cent Ans (vers 1440-1445). Les maçonneries et la charpente ont été épargnées par les bombardements de 1944.
Légendes
(Photo #1) Combles de la porte, 15e siècle - Photo Philippe Delval
(Photo #2) Postes de tir du chemin de ronde, 19e siècle - Photo Philippe
this page online
The Castle Gate
Also known as the «Emergency Gate», this fine example of medieval military architecture, fronted by its barbican, opened onto the Vaugueux faubourg and the countryside («the Fields»). The latter was urbanised only recently. It allowed the castle to be supplied and reinforced from, or evacuated to, outside the city walls. Built in the early 13th century, it was the work of Philip Augustus, King of France. At the time, it was a gateway with two crenellated towers framing a carriage entrance with a portcullis. In the late Middle Ages, it underwent a number of changes, including the addition of a central section to house a drawbridge with gaffs and an additional floor. Archaeological research has confirmed that the roof timbers date back to the English occupation during the Hundred Years' War, in the 1440s. They were spared by the 1944 bombings.
Captions
(Photo #1) Attic of the door, 15th century - Photo Philippe Delval
(Photo #2) Shooting positions on the patrol path, 19th century - Photo Philippe Delval
Burgtor
Dieses Tor wurde auch als „Porte de Secours“ oder Fluchttor bezeichnet. Ein sehr schönes, hinter seiner Barbakane gelegenes Beispiel mittelalterlicher Militärarchitektur, das zur
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
2. La porte des Champs / The Castle Gate Marker
Bildunterschriften
(Foto #1) Dachboden der Tür, 15. Jahrhundert - Foto Philippe Delval
(Foto #2) Schießstände auf dem Patrouillenweg, 19. Jahrhundert - Foto Philippe Delval
Erected by Château de Caen, Mussee de Normandie.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 49° 11.218′ N, 0° 21.72′ W. Marker is in Caen, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Av. de la Libération and Rue Montoir
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
3. The view of the Castle Gate from the castle grounds
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: La barbacane et la porte des Champs / The Barbican and Castle Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Donjon / From the Anglo-Norman keep to the French chatelet (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Province of Ontario Memorial (about 120 meters away); L'église Saint-Georges / Saint George's Church (about 120 meters away); La salle de l'Échiquier / The Dukes of Normandy's Great Hall (about 150 meters away); Le Donjon et ses fossés / The Donjon and its moat (about 150 meters away); Le Vieux Palais / The Old Palace (about 150 meters away); Les tours du côté des champs / The Field-side Tower (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Caen.
Also see . . . The Field Gate. (Submitted on June 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
4. Closeup of the Castle Gate
Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 183 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
