The Northern or Royal Gate - 16th century - The entrance to Saint-Paul
La Porte Royale
In 1418, St Paul became a Royal Town, as the "Count of Provence", who was personally lord of St Paul, was also King of Naples. When Provence became part of France in 1481, the King of France inherited rights on the County of Provence and on the fief of St Paul.
The Northern or Royal Gate, at the entrance of the village, was erected at the same time as the ramparts with their spade-shaped bastions. St Paul was fortified at the end of the reign of Francois Ier ( 1515-1547): it served as a defense against Nice and its castle, properties of the Duke of Savoy, which were used as a base by his ally, Charles Quint, who invaded Provence twice, in 1524 and 1536. The construction of these ramparts resulted in the destruction of numerous houses on the fringe of the town, causing a part of the population to found a new suburb, "le Bourg de la Colle".
The muzzle of a canon, called " Lacan", sticks out of a bastion: it is a trophy from the Battle of Cerisoles ( 1544 ) which occurred in Italy between Francois Ier and Charles Quint.