Known today as Ardon, the gateway was named Royée as early as the 10th century, as it gave access to the first royal palace built nearby (and no longer in existence), and has undergone many changes over the centuries: redesigned in the 13th century during the restoration of the ramparts, with its distinctive “little castle” shape and bartizans on the façade, it was enriched in the 18th century with a wall in front. It is said that Charlemagne’s nephew, Roland, used it to sneak out of Laon in 778 on his way to Roncesvalles, where he died. Nowadays, you can walk or drive underneath it to reach either the southern ring of ramparts, or the cathedral forecourt, some 300 meters away…