Porte des Tourelles

The Porte des Tourelles is a vaulted passage in sandstone and flint built in the 15th century. Comprised between two circular towers with conical roofs, the Tourelles are the only remaining of the seven gates of Dieppe. A witness to the medieval walled city, this gate charms with its historic aura.

Witnesses to the former medieval city wall.

The Turrets
Built in the 15th century in sandstone and flint and altered several times, the gate known as the Tourelles consists of a vaulted passage, flanked by two circular towers crowned by two conical roofs. This gate is the only surviving of the seven ancient gates of the city, five of which overlooked the sea. Together with the castle and the rampart wall near the old Crab Tower, it is one of the last vestiges of the city's fortifications. These were undoubtedly built as early as the 11th century and then regularly rebuilt to finally be destroyed in the 19th century.

Over the centuries, the Tourelles bore several names including Porte du Port d'Ouest and served as a prison, probably from the end of the Middle Ages until 1825, when the prisoners were transferred to the new prison built in Pollet, on the site of the Capuchin convent.

After having belonged to individuals, the turrets now house the headquarters of the association responsible for the international kite festival which has been held in Dieppe every two years since 1980.