Tour penchée de Soyons, Medieval fortified tower in Soyons, France.
The leaning tower of Soyons is a medieval stone structure with four sides, rising from a plateau 218 meters above sea level. It contains three levels with arched chambers and openings that let light into the interior.
The tower was built between the late 12th and early 13th centuries and served as part of medieval defenses. In 1629, royal forces demolished part of it during the religious conflicts, which caused its current tilt.
The site has been a place of human settlement and spiritual meaning for thousands of years, drawing people to this hilltop location. Visitors walking here can sense the layered history of occupation that shaped this landscape.
The tower is open year-round and offers views across the Rhone valley and surrounding mountain ranges. Visitors should be prepared for a steep climb and watch for uneven ground on the plateau surface.
The tower leans so far to one side that it seems surprising it still stands at all - an unusual condition resulting from failed demolition attempts. This damage makes it a rare example of a deliberately damaged structure that was later preserved rather than fully destroyed.
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