Porte Saint-Jean
Quebec City
The Porte Saint-Jean is one of the gates in the walls of Vieux-Québec. It opens onto Rue Saint-Jean, one of the best-loved streets in the city.
A gate that moved house
The first gate with this name was built at the end of the 1600s, in another part of the town. Around 1770 it was moved to where you see it now. For a long time the gate was closed every night, and anyone arriving late stayed outside.
Rebuilt in the 1900s
Today's gate was built between 1938 and 1939. Its style recalls the Saint-Louis and Kent gates, built to save the walls at the end of the 1800s. Back then the governor, Lord Dufferin, had persuaded the town not to tear the walls down. Instead, there could be new gates, wide and decorated, and a promenade all around.
Inside and outside
Inside the walls is Rue Saint-Jean, an old street full of life. Outside is Place D'Youville, a large open square. Students and families pass through here at every hour of the day. Walking through the gate is like jumping from one century to another.
What to see from outside
Look at the round turrets, the large central passage and the two smaller ones at the sides.
