Presumed construction XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Estimated period of original construction.
30 novembre 1972
First entry MH
First entry MH 30 novembre 1972 (≈ 1972)
Door and rampart included in the additional inventory.
26 décembre 2023
Registration of the enclosure
Registration of the enclosure 26 décembre 2023 (≈ 2023)
Protection extended to all ramparts.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Balagué gate and contiguous rampart (cad. not cadastralized; public domain): registration by order of 30 November 1972; The urban enclosure of the upper town, i.e. all the ramparts, towers, courtines, gates, old bastions, in elevation or buried, known or supposed or masked by the houses attached, with their ground of settlement, including the bas-reliefs carved by Gustave Violet on the east wall, as drawn in red on the plan annexed to the decree, located on the plots: BB 208 8 rue Rabelais, BB 209 6 rue Rabelais and 2 rue des Tres Portalets, BB 210 4 rue Rabelais; BB 211 2 rue Rabelais; BB 217 31 National Road; BB 218 29 National Road; BB 282 7 rue Cote du Parral; BB 271 1 Illberis Boulevard; BB 272 3 place of Colonel Roger; BB 273 5 place of Colonel Roger; BB 277 1 B rue Porte Balaguer; BB 278 1 rue Porte Balaguer; BB 279, BB 280, BB 281 rue Cote du Parral; BB 312 20 avenue du Général de Gaulle; BB 315 26 avenue du Général de Gaulle; BB 316 26 avenue du Général de Gaulle; BB 317 26 B avenue du Général de Gaulle; BB 318 28 avenue du Général de Gaulle; BB 319 30 avenue du Général de Gaulle; BB 275 3 rue Porte Balaguer; BB 276 rue Porte Balaguer; BB 216 National Road; BB 320, BB 321 Illiberis Boulevard; BA 265 rue du Four à lime ; BA 191, BA 192 1 rue du Couvent ; BA 68 1 rue des Tres Portalets ; BA 245 29 rue de Paris; BB 322 5 Boulevard Illiberis; BB 322 5 boulevard Illiberis; BB 37 9002 rue Porte Balaguer; BA 196 5 boulevard du Général-Leclerc ; BA 204 14 rue du Four à lime ; BA 205 12 rue du Four à lime ; BA 206 12 rue du Four à chaux ; BA 207 10 rue du Four à lime ; BA 208 8 B rue du Four à lime ; BA 256 9 rue du Couvent; BA 264 rue du Four à lime ; BB 41, BB 42 3 and 5 boulevard de la Liberté; BB 405 1 boulevard de la Liberté; BB 43 7 boulevard de la Liberté; BB 45 7 boulevard de la Liberté; BB 46 6 rue du Four à lime; BB 47 11 place du Canigou; BB 382 4 rue du Four à lime; BB 404 1 boulevard de la Liberté; BA 172 5 rue de Sèvres; BA 173 7 rue de Sèvres; BA 186 1 Llauro impasse; BA 190 1 Bastion impasse; BA 193 2 Bastion impasse; BA 268 79 National Road; BA 42 10 rue de Sèvres; BA 43 12 rue de Sèvres ; BA 44 14 rue de Sèvres; BA 46 1 rue de Paris ; BA 47 3 rue de Paris ; BA 49 5 rue de Paris; BA 50 7 rue de Paris; BA 51 9 rue de Paris; BA 55 11 rue de Paris; BA 56 13 National Road; BA 59 55 National Road; BA 60 53 National Road; BA 61 51 National Road; BA 62 49 National Road; BA 63 47 National Road; BA 64 45 National Road; BA 65 43 National Road; BA 66 41 National Road; BA 67 39 National road: registration by decree of 26 December 2023
Key figures
Gustave Violet - Sculptor
Author of bas-reliefs on the ramparts.
Origin and history
The gate of Balagué and its adjacent wall of rampart are part of the former fortifications of the town of Elne, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales. These vestiges testify to the strategic importance of the medieval city, protected by an urban enclosure including doors, towers and courtyards. The gate is located southwest of the old town, on the Rue de la Côte-Balaguer, marking the historic access to this area.
The construction of the Balagué Gate probably dates back to the 14th century, when many Occitan cities strengthened their defences in the face of regional conflicts. Although its detailed history remains partially documented, its listing in the supplementary inventory of historical monuments by order of 30 November 1972 underscores its heritage value. More recently, the entire urban enclosure, including this door, was inscribed on 26 December 2023, consolidating its protection.
The ramparts of Elne, including the gate of Balagué, illustrate the medieval military architecture typical of the region. Their preservation allows us to study the fortification techniques used in southern France at the end of the Middle Ages. The bas-reliefs carved by Gustave Violet on the ramparts, although after the original construction, add an artistic dimension to this historic ensemble.
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