Was the Porte Neuve in Lyon once a bustling gateway? Yes, it was. This gate was not just an entrance. It was a symbol of Lyon’s evolving identity.
The list of Lyon’s gates includes the Porte Neuve. These gates marked the edges of the city. Lyon was once enclosed by fortifications. Over time, the city expanded. Many gates were moved or disappeared.
In the 14th century, Lyon was a closed city. The gates controlled access. They stood at the ends of major roads.
Let’s step back to the late 16th century. Lyon is growing. The city needed new defenses. In July 1580, the Porte Neuve du Pont Levis was built. It stood near the Saône River. This location was at the edge of the Greillon hill’s bastion.
Imagine the scene. A moat protects the gate. A drawbridge stands ready. The city’s coat of arms adorns the gate. A magnificent stone lion stands proudly. Above, the arms of France shine in gold letters. The date 1580 marks the construction. The motto “Un Dieu. Un Roy. Une Foy. Une Loy” is engraved. This reflects the beliefs of the Lyonnais League.
Two demi-bastions flank the Porte Neuve. A chain is fixed to the bastion on the Saône. It stretches across the river. Royal entrances often occurred here. Elaborate ceremonies marked these occasions.
The Porte Neuve was also known as Porte du Lion. Another gate called Porte de Vaise also existed. It was located near the Pierre Scize castle. Plans from 1700 show both gates. The “P. de Vaise” is near the castle. The “P. du Lion” is further north.
By 1755, the plan of Delamonce calls the lion gate “Porte de Vaize.” However, a 1773 plan still calls it “Porte du Lion”. In the 19th century, the Pierre Scize gate disappeared. The former “porte au Lion” became known as “Porte de Vaise”.
The Porte Neuve and other gates helped Lyon grow. They shaped its identity. These gates remind us of Lyon’s rich past. They tell a story of a city that was once fortified.