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Origin and history

The Porte du Haut de Coustalou, located in Rocamadour, is a 14th century building, although some sources suggest a possible 13th century origin for similar doors. It was erected to block a street by leaning on adjacent houses, including Hugon's house, whose entrance door was condemned. This defensive structure, 2 meters thick, consists of cut stone trimmings and a fur of rubble. Its unextracted broken arch and its arched passage into a full-cindered cradle, equipped with dam holes, testify to its role in urban fortification.

Inside, a straight staircase, accessible by a high lintel door on cushions, reached the top of the courtine. The gate was part of the ramparts of Rocamadour, mentioned in a charter of 1303, which also includes the doors of both Hugonet and Figuier. These architectural elements, comparable to those of the Porte du Haut de Coustalou, could date back to the 13th century, suggesting continuity in the techniques of defensive construction of the city.

Ranked Historic Monument by decree of 20 June 1910, this gate illustrates the strategic importance of Rocamadour in the Middle Ages. Its approximate location, rated as fair (level 5/10), and its integration into the urban fabric reflect architectural adaptations related to the defence of the city. Today, it remains a tangible vestige of medieval fortified systems in Occitanie.

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