Lantern Tower (La Rochelle)
Medieval tower in La Rochelle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 | |
|---|---|
| Priest tower | |
Tour de la Lanterne | |
 Interactive map of Lantern Tower | |
| 46°09′21″N 01°09′25″W | |
| Location | La Rochelle, France |
| Nearest city | La Rochelle |
| History | |
| Founded | 1209 |
| Original use | Protection of the entrance to the primitive port of La Rochelle |
| Site notes | |
| Height | 180 feet (55 m) |
Architectural style | Medieval |
| Restored | 2015 |
| Governing body | Building managed by the CMN (Center des Monuments Nationaux) |
| Owner | Government |
| Website | la-rochelle |
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]
