Bab El Bahr, also called Porte de France, is the symbolic eastern gate of the medina of Tunis. Its name means "Gate of the Sea", a memory of the old route from the walled city toward the lake, harbour, and Gulf of Tunis rather than a claim that waves once reached the arch.
The gate is not large, but its position is excellent. Stand here and you can read the city's history in two directions: behind you, the dense medina lanes and souks; ahead, the straighter colonial-era avenue and the Ville Nouvelle. It is a natural starting point for entering the medina, especially if you want a clear mental border before getting lost in the old streets.