Tour de Constance

The Tour de Constance is a fortification located in the walled city of Aigues-Mortes, in the Gard department, in the Occitanie region, in France. The summit terrace is surmounted by a watchtower that served as a lighthouse from the 13th to the 16th century. The tower has a diameter of 22 meters and a height of 32 meters, with a thickness of 6 meters at the base. It was built in the 13th century by Saint Louis as part of the transformation of Aigues-Mortes into a strategic point with a port opening onto the Mediterranean. The tower was used as a prison, including for women considered 'heretics' after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The most famous prisoner was Marie Durand, who was detained for 38 years. The tower is now a historical monument and offers a glimpse into the region's rich history