Created at the beginning of the 13th century, when the fortified wall was first extended southwards, this gate was protected by a triangular barbican in the 16th century. Resting on the Saint-Didier tower and imposing a chicane entrance, it was fitted with a guardhouse and a corner watchtower. Its monumental gateway was adorned with an allegorical statue personifying the town of Langres in the guise of an armed young woman.
Originally known as the "porte bovelière", this entrance seems to owe its name to the passage of animals on their way to the rue of the same name and then to the rue de la Boucherie, where they were slaughtered and butchered.
Converted in 1854, the barbican was finally destroyed in 1906 to facilitate access to the nearby Porte des Terreaux.
A little background information:
The upper floor of the Saint-Didier tower housed the auditorium (the court) of the Capitaines à Masse; these four notables elected by the people of Langrois were responsible for judging offences committed on the sentry walk and were also in charge of enforcing security measures. The distinctive sign of their office was a small silver mace.
In 1411, "by force of rain gullies", the drainpipes were blocked and the door blocked above the lock by mud; it took three men a day to clear it.<
On the night of 7 to 8 June 1639, near the rampart between "Saint Didier and Marché", three poor children sheltered under a rock "were attacked and devoured by wolves".
Porte Boulière
