Lantern Tower (La Rochelle)

The Lantern Tower (French: tour de la Lanterne) is one of the three medieval historic towers in La Rochelle, Poitou-Charentes, France, which guarded the port at Aunis. The Lantern tower served as a Lighthouse and a prison throughout its history. It was also known by other names: Garrot tower, Priest tower, and Four Sergeant tower. In 1789 the French government declared it a Monument historique[1]

Lantern Tower
Native names
French: Tour de la Lanterne
English: Tower of the Four Sergeants
English: Garrot tower
Priest tower
Tour de la Lanterne
LocationLa Rochelle, France
Nearest cityLa Rochelle
Coordinates46°09′21″N 01°09′25″W
Height180 feet (55 m)
Founded1209
Original useProtection of the entrance to the primitive port of La Rochelle
Restored2015
Architectural style(s)Medieval
Governing bodyBuilding managed by the CMN (Center des Monuments Nationaux)
OwnerGovernment
Websitela-rochelle.monuments-nationaux.fr

History

The original purpose of the tower was to watch ship traffic in the port. It also served as a lighthouse. In the 1500s the tower was used to imprison priests.[2] It was a multi-purpose building: used both as a lighthouse and a prison. The tower was used to watch the Aunis coastline during the middle ages; and it was used to guide ships into port. Throughout its history it was also used to house prisoners: first priests, then sailors, and finally prisoners from the Wars of the Vendée.[3]

Engraving of the 4 sergeants of La Rochelle before their execution

See also

References
  1. Base Mérimée: Saint-Nicolas tower, Ministère français de la Culture. (in French)
  2. "Lantern Tower in La Rochelle". viafrance.com. Via France. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  3. "The Lantern Tower (La Tour de la Lanterne)". poitou-charentes-vendee.com. Poitou Charentes Vendee. Retrieved 26 January 2020.

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