Beyond the Gates of Sens and Joigny: France's Hidden Time Capsules

The Portes de Sens et de Joigny, standing proud in Villeneuve-sur-Yonne, France, are more than mere landmarks. Since 1862, they have been classified as historical monuments, providing a captivating window into the country's past. In the 60s, the Groupement transformed the Porte de Sens into permanent museum exhibition spaces, with the second floor hosting a quirky collection - fossils, silex, Celtic weapons, Roman pottery, and more - all thanks to Dovilio Peretto's research.

You might have heard of the Salle Bolnat? Named after local archaeologist Georges Bolnat, who carried out excavations at the Gallo-Roman workshops of Bussy-le-Repos and the La Colombine site. The Porte de Sens serves as a rotating stage for temporary exhibitions, while the upper part of the Porte de Joigny stores collections related to the history of the city of Villeneuve-sur-Yonne. If you fancy delving into the gendarmerie's past, the upper part of the Porte de Joigny is your portal. And for more, don't forget about the Musée-Galerie Carnot, a 'Musée de France', located at 4, rue Carnot.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons