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Origin and history

The Moulin Gate is part of the Montreuil-Bellay fortifications, built at different times between the 11th and 15th centuries. The first vestiges, dated the 11th century, were made up of ramparts on earth (Buffet Street), later reinforced. Stone fortifications were added in the 13th century (rue de l'Ardiller) and between 1386 and 1387 (rue du Boëlle). A major reconstruction took place in the 15th century, from 1412-1413, incorporating the earlier remains, except those of Rue du Buffet. This work is part of a context of defensive reinforcement typical of the late Middle Ages, where cities protect themselves from conflicts such as the Hundred Years War.

The Moulin Gate is one of the five doors still visible today, with the gates of Saint John, New, Gué and Boëlle. Two other doors, the Guichet and the Fontaines, disappeared, the first of which was destroyed in 1798. A bow was added in 1669 to double the Boëlle gate, illustrating subsequent adaptations to traffic requirements. The gate of the Moulin itself was inscribed in historical monuments by order of 4 February 1976, recognizing its heritage value as a witness to medieval defensive systems.

The fortifications of Montreuil-Bellay reflect the evolution of military and urban techniques in Anjou. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the region, marked by tensions between the kingdoms of France and England, saw the proliferation of defensive works. These ramparts served not only to protect the population, but also to control access to the city, which is essential for commerce and seigneurial taxation. Their partial preservation today offers an overview of medieval urban planning and its adaptation to the political and social challenges of the time.

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