Porte Rivotte

A surviving remnant of Besançon’s old fortifications, the Porte Rivotte looks like something out of a medieval tale. It was actually built in the 16th century, during the reign of Emperor Charles V, who ruled over vast stretches of Europe, and even parts of the Americas. In the 17th century, King Louis XIV left his own mark on the gate by adding his royal emblem, a sun. It’s still visible on the façade today, even though other features like the drawbridge, moat, and portcullis were removed in 1893 to make room for pedestrian access. Here’s a fun fact, back when the streets were bustling with speedy horse-drawn carriages, the city issued a very specific rule: “Strictly forbidden to trot.” If you look closely above the central arch, you’ll still see that inscription carved into the stone. It might not be enforced anymore, but it’s a charming reminder that people were thinking about road safety even centuries ago.