The Porte Gachiou is one of Aubagne’s most important historical landmarks, and one of the few that takes you back to the 14th century. At the time, this wasn’t just a simple gate; it served both as a town entrance and as a watchtower, built to keep an eye out for any approaching enemies. It was even known as the Royal Gate, as this is where kings and princes would enter Aubagne. Over the centuries, it welcomed the likes of Catherine de Medici, Francis I, and Henri IV. Back then, the town was surrounded by thick stone walls rebuilt in the 14th century to protect the population, especially as Aubagne, like many Provençal towns, was gaining more administrative independence. That meant it needed to be ready to defend itself, particularly from regional powers like nearby Marseille. The stones in front of you have stood here for nearly 700 years, and they’re the last surviving gate out of the seven that once encircled the medieval town. Its name, Gachiou, comes from the Provençal word agachar, which means “to keep watch”, a perfect name for a gate that stood guard over Aubagne for centuries.