Tour de la Lanterne Castles / Towers / Forts in La Rochelle

The Lantern Tower of La Rochelle is one of the most emblematic symbols of the city, one of the three medieval towers that guard the entrance to the Old Port, along with the Saint-Nicolas Tower and the Chain Tower. It is distinguished by its architecture and its multiple functions over the centuries.

A Tower with Many Names and Functions

Built between the 12th and 15th centuries (completed in 1468), the Tour de la Lanterne is one of the last medieval towers in France with a Gothic spire. Standing 75 meters high, it has served various functions over time:

• Bitter and Lighthouse: its primary purpose was to be a visible landmark for sailors (bitter) and to guide ships thanks to a lantern lit at its summit. It is often cited as the oldest lighthouse in France.
• Watchtower and Defense: an integral part of the maritime fortifications of La Rochelle, it also served as a watchtower to monitor the approach of ships and the security of the port.
• Prison: from the 16th century, the Royal Navy transformed it into a prison. It served as a place of detention for sailors and privateers, then in the 19th century, it became a military prison. It is from this period that it takes its nickname of "Tower of the Four Sergeants", in reference to the incarceration of two of the protagonists of the "Conspiracy of La Rochelle" in 1822, before their execution in Paris. It was also called the "Tower of the Garrot" and the "Tower of the Priests" at other times.

Unique Architecture and Touching Testimonies

The Lantern Tower is an architecturally remarkable building.

Its base is a massive cylindrical shaft 25 meters high and more than 15 meters in diameter. An octagonal spire in flamboyant style, about thirty meters high, surmounts the whole, pierced with trilobed windows and decorated with ribs adorned with hooks.

One of the tower's most fascinating features is the more than 600 graffiti engraved on its walls, floors, and staircases by inmates over the centuries. These "wall writings" are true historical and artistic testimonies, ranging from simple names and dates to detailed depictions of ships, scenes of port life, or messages. They offer a unique insight into the daily lives of these prisoners.

Contemporary Art: The tower also houses contemporary works of art, notably in the bitter room, where a 1985 work by Gottfried Honegger (a labyrinth on the floor and a hanging stele) evokes prison and escape. Works by Jean-Pierre Pincemin are also on display.

A Historic Monument and a Breathtaking Panorama

The Lantern Tower was classified as a Historic Monument on February 17, 1879, which allowed its preservation and restoration.

Today, it is open to the public and offers an enriching visitor experience:

• Visitors can climb the many spiral staircases to discover the different rooms, the graffiti and immerse themselves in the history of the place.
• Once at the top, a gallery at a height of 38 meters offers an exceptional panorama of the city of La Rochelle, its Old Port and the harbor as well as the ocean. The Salle de l'Amer, at the top of the spire, also offers remarkable views.