Is it a gate or is it a triumphal arch? That’s the question that often comes up here at the Quartier de la Porte-Saint-Martin. The Quartier de la Porte-Saint-Martin is a historic place. It’s named after a very special monument. The monument is the Porte Saint-Martin, of course. You’re standing right in front of it. Now, you might be thinking, “wait a minute, it looks like an arch, not a gate.” And you wouldn’t be wrong! You see, the Porte Saint-Martin replaced an older, actual gate that was part of the city walls. King Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, wanted something grander. Something that screamed victory. So in 1674, this imposing arch was built to commemorate his victories on the Rhine and in Franche-Comté. Take a closer look at the arch. Notice the incredible detail, the carvings depicting Louis XIV’s triumphs. It’s not just a monument. It’s a story carved in stone.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.