Successive protections 1930–1986 (≈ 1958)
Rankings and inscriptions Historical monuments.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Guy XII de Laval - Count of Laval
Sponsor of the 1407 overhauls.
André de Lohéac - Marshal of France
Fits build the Renaise Gate (15th century).
Henri IV - King of France
Considered their destruction in 1594.
Origin and history
The ramparts of Laval were built in the 13th century to protect the upper town, on the right bank of the Mayenne, around the castle. This medieval enclosure, 1,100 metres long, had 27 towers and 5 gates, delimiting a space of more than 9 hectares. It was redesigned in the 15th century, notably by Guy XII of Laval (1407) and André de Lohéac, who added mâchicoulis, barbacanes and the Renaise gate.
The town remained confined in its ramparts until the 15th century, before suburbs developed (place de Hercé, priory Saint Martin). The Pont Vieux, the only passage on the Mayenne until 1814, forced travellers to cross the closed city. The ramparts, which became obsolete with the union of Brittany with France, suffered massive destruction in the 18th and 19th centuries (comblement of moat, demolition of doors).
Among the preserved remains are the Beuchesse Gate (11th century, ranked in 1931), the Renaise Tower (15th century, listed in 1930), and portions of walls with towers. These elements illustrate Laval's defensive evolution, from medieval conflicts (taken in 1428) to their gradual abandonment. The enclosure was finally protected as a historical monument in 1986, after centuries of dismantling.
The ramparts also reflect Laval's urban history: their route delimited the historic heart for a long time, before the city extended beyond the piercing of Pont Neuf (1814) and the creation of a new city centre to the north. Their partial destruction met the needs of modernization, but the remains recall their key role in the protection and spatial organization of the city.
Their initial construction in the 13th century succeeded a primitive earthen enclosure (XI–XII centuries), abandoned during the stone reconstruction of the castle. The improvements of the 15th century (tours, round road) were not enough to prevent the English capture in 1428, leading to the condemnation of the Belot-Oisel gate. Henry IV envisaged their dismantling in 1594, but renounced it, delaying the destruction to the following centuries.
