Bab el Bhar (Gate of France), Tunis (must see)
Bab el Bhar or Gate of France is a city gate that denotes the separation between the old city and the European section of Tunis. The gate is sometimes referred to as The Sea Gate. This is often the first spot tourists see before they enter the old city.
The original gate was built in the 10th century when the Aghlabids reigned over what are now parts of Italy, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia. The gate was torn down in 1848 and rebuilt in 1860 while the area was under French rule. The gate gained the name Gate of France during this time, but it was reinstated to its original name, Bab el Bhar, when Tunisia gained its freedom.
The gate consists of an arched entrance that is topped by a parapet and inscription. It also has an altitude marking of seven meters above sea level. Bab el Bhar was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
The original gate was built in the 10th century when the Aghlabids reigned over what are now parts of Italy, Libya, Algeria and Tunisia. The gate was torn down in 1848 and rebuilt in 1860 while the area was under French rule. The gate gained the name Gate of France during this time, but it was reinstated to its original name, Bab el Bhar, when Tunisia gained its freedom.
The gate consists of an arched entrance that is topped by a parapet and inscription. It also has an altitude marking of seven meters above sea level. Bab el Bhar was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Tunis. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The GPSmyCity App
Bab el Bhar (Gate of France) on Map
Sight Name: Bab el Bhar (Gate of France)
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Tunis, Tunisia (See walking tours in Tunis)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Tunis, Tunisia
Create Your Own Walk in Tunis
Creating your own self-guided walk in Tunis is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Tunis Introduction Walking Tour
Tunis is the capital of Tunisia and one of the largest cities in the Arab world. Tunis was a Berber settlement founded on and around the ancient city of Carthage. The settlement of Tunis dates as far back as the 4th century BCE. It became the capital city in 1159.
The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
The city was controlled by numerous empires over the years, which has lent to its interesting art and architecture. With influences... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Carthage Walking Tour
Carthage is a modern, upscale seaside suburb of Tunis and a unique place of archaeological and cultural value, situated at the site of an ancient capital of the Carthaginian (Punic) civilization, which fell to Rome in the 2nd century BC.
The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The settlement was founded by the Phoenicians in the first millennium BC and, after being destroyed by the Romans in the course of three Punic Wars, emerged... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Tunis Souvenirs: 15 Authentic Tunisian Products for Avid Traveler
A historic crossroads of many civilizations and influences, - Berber, Spanish, French, - Tunisia is a treasure trove of mementos waiting for a knowledgeable traveler to be picked up. The Medina market of Tunis (the capital city) is one of the best places to shop for local handcrafts. To help...
Tunisian Sweets and Pastries
No Tunisian meal is complete without a lavish dessert at the end. And Tunisians do take their sweets seriously, be it fresh seasonal fruits, cakes, fried almond pastries, ice cream, doughnuts or whatever else. Some of these delights have come from Turkey, brought by soldiers of the Ottoman army;...