Tour Jean XXII, Gothic palace tower in Cahors, France
Tour Jean XXII is a Gothic palace tower that rises through five stories to a height of about 34 meters (112 feet). Each level features twin windows cut into the stone and brick facade, while the ground floor chamber inside displays a vaulted ceiling with stone ribs.
Built before 1326 by Pierre Dueze, the brother of Pope John XXII, this tower once anchored a larger family palace. It stands today as the sole surviving element of that medieval residence, making it a witness to centuries of change in Cahors.
The tower takes its name from Pope John XXII, whose family commissioned its construction. Walking around it, you notice how the medieval stonemasons arranged the materials, mixing stone and brick in a way that was practical for the time.
The tower is located on Rue Saint-Barthelemy in the old quarter and can be viewed from the outside throughout the day. You can walk around it to see all sides, and the best views come when natural light hits the stone and brick exterior clearly.
The lower portions of the tower once had arrow slits and gun ports, evidence that it served as part of the city's defensive system. This military aspect reveals how wealthy families built their homes like small fortifications to protect their holdings and power.
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