_On reaching the town by N. 37, cross the Faubourg de Bretagne_, the
roadway of which was, in places, destroyed by mines. In 1917 this
suburb had suffered less than the other parts of the town. Many of the
houses could easily have been repaired, had they not sustained in 1918
new and much more important damage.
At the end of the suburb stands the Bretagne Gate, built of brick and
stone. This interesting specimen of late sixteenth century military
architecture--although the vaulting bears the date of 1602--is preceded
by another eighteenth century gate, and surrounded by remains of the
old fortifications. Although struck by shells several times, and rather
severely damaged, its vital structure is still standing _(photos, p.
101)_.
_Follow the Avenue Danicourt, which leads to the Rue Saint-Sauveur._
[Illustration: BRETAGNE GATE. EXTERIOR FAÇADE.]
The Rue Saint-Sauveur and the Grande Place which prolongs it, formed
the centre of the town, and there the finest shops were to be found.
This part of the town was the most completely destroyed of all.
Some half-burnt, dilapidated house-fronts without roofs are still
standing; the other buildings were destroyed by fire or explosions. The
adjacent streets are in the same pitiable condition.
[Illustration: BRETAGNE GATE. INTERIOR FAÇADE.]