Saint-Michel Spire, Campanile in Bordeaux, France
The Flèche Saint-Michel is a freestanding Gothic bell tower in Bordeaux, built separately from the basilica of the same name, rising about 114 meters tall. Its base is octagonal with six large arches, and its pointed spire tapers to a tip in the Flamboyant Gothic style typical of the 15th century.
The tower was completed in 1492, as part of the Gothic construction of the Saint-Michel church that had begun in the 14th century. Over the following centuries it was damaged by an earthquake, lightning strikes and storms, and underwent several rounds of restoration, including a major project that started in 2022.
The tower stands apart from the basilica, which is unusual and makes it easy to spot from many streets in the neighborhood. The area around it has a long craft tradition and was once home to carpenters and tanners who worked nearby.
The tower is located in the Saint-Michel neighborhood and can be reached on foot from the city center without difficulty. After years of restoration work, it is expected to reopen to visitors in mid-2026, when the roughly 230-step climb to the top will again be possible.
In the 19th century, the tower served as a relay station for the telegraph network, because its height made it well placed for sending signals across the city. This earlier technical use is a reminder that the building served purposes well beyond the religious.
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