Tour Camoufle, Gothic defense tower in Metz, France.
Tour Camoufle is a circular three-story stone tower with a steep roof, standing at the former southeast corner of Metz's medieval fortifications. The structure displays the solid masonry characteristic of defensive towers from this era.
Built in 1437 on the site of a Gallo-Roman tower, this fortification served as a strategic defense point during conflicts between lords of the Holy Roman Empire. It was part of a larger network of towers protecting the city.
The tower takes its name from Jacob de Castel, a skilled 15th-century artillery officer who defended the city with great precision. This connection to local military heritage remains part of how residents remember the fortifications.
The tower stands on Avenue Foch and currently functions as a storage facility for the city's maintenance and grounds equipment. The former fortification remains visible from the street, though it is not open to visitors inside.
The walls bear visible cannonball scars from the sieges of 1444 and 1552, showing direct traces of past conflicts. These marks and dents in the stone surface stand as silent witnesses to the military history.
Location: Metz
Architectural style: Gothic Revival
Part of: Remparts médiévaux
GPS coordinates: 49.11200,6.17348
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:45
Metz offers numerous scenic locations that highlight its history and architectural development. The city features notable buildings such as Saint-Étienne Cathedral with its 6,500 square meters of stained glass from the 13th to the 20th century, the Neo-Romanesque New Temple with its reflections on the Moselle, and the Gare-Palais built in 1908 with its clock tower and carved stone details. The Botanical Garden hosts collections of rare plants and a greenhouse showcasing tropical and Mediterranean vegetation, while the Water Plan near the city center offers interesting views with reflections on the water surface. Remnants of the past are visible throughout the city. Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains Basilica, a Roman structure from the 4th century converted into a church, stands next to the Cour d'Or Museum located in medieval buildings displaying Roman remains and regional art collections. The Imperial Quarter reveals neo-Romanesque and neo-Renaissance architecture from 1871-1918, with stone facades and characteristic decorative elements. From Mount Saint-Quentin at 358 meters above sea level, one can observe the valley of the Moselle and the urban complex. These sites form a varied visual journey through the city's historical eras and architectural styles.
Gare de Metz-Ville
382 m
Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains
448 m
Palais du Gouverneur
402 m
Arsenal de Metz
358 m
Metz Citadel
239 m
Église Saint-Martin de Metz
390 m
Templar Chapelle in Metz
387 m
Hôtel des Postes
258 m
Chapelle Sainte-Glossinde de Metz
93 m
Hôtel des Arts et Métiers de Metz
74 m
Caserne Ney
249 m
Hospice Saint-Nicolas
416 m
Magasin aux vivres de Metz
377 m
Hôtel de Heu
429 m
Caserne Barbot
378 m
Hôtel des mines
186 m
Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Moselle
59 m
Église Les Prêcheresses
435 m
Metz Station Water Tower
441 m
Buste du Roi Albert
231 m
Aux Morts de la Guerre
230 m
Immeuble, 2 rue Châtillon
126 m
Immeuble, 15 rue Maurice-Barrès
213 m
Immeuble, 9 rue du Neufbourg
363 m
Chapelle Sainte-Chrétienne du couvent de Metz
197 m
Immeuble, 24 avenue Foch
139 m
Chapelle de l'hospice Saint Nicolas de Metz
461 m
Hôtel Royal
221 mVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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