Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The door of Sabran, the only survivor of the five medieval gates of Vezenobres, controlled access to Uzes. His working equipment dates from the beginning of the 12th century, although his first written mention as castrum dates back to 1050 for the nearby castle. The hill, fortified from the early Middle Ages, housed a complex defensive system including underground streets and staggered doors. The current remains suggest a major reconstruction in the 13th century, with arches in full hanger and a characteristic mâchicoulis.

In the 18th century, the tower was enhanced by a belfry housing a clock, symbolizing the evolution of its role: from defensive post to civil watch. The original clock, now exhibited in a local museum, bears witness to this transition. The tympanum between the arches was pierced by a window, and a second illuminated the upper floor, probably dating back to the late 17th century. These developments reflect the adaptation of medieval fortifications to the later urban needs.

The door derives its name from the house of Sabran, noble family of Languedoc linked to the duchy of Uzès from the twelfth century. William I of Sabran took part in the first crusade in 1099, illustrating the regional influence of this lineage. Later, in 1531, Claude de Sabran joined the Order of Malta, marking a turning point in family history. These historical links underline the strategic role of Vézenobres, a crossroads between the Gard valleys and the roads to Uzès.

Ranked a historic monument in 1964, the door preserves remarkable defensive elements: an external arch in the middle of a hanger, a mâchicoulis, and a reworked back-up. The remains of the ramparts and the round road, visible from the Horloge Street, recall the original extent of the fortifications. The communal property today opens a part of the medieval and modern history of the Gard, between military heritage and village heritage.

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