Tour Rivalland, Historical tower in Fontenay-le-Comte, France
Tour Rivalland is an eight-story tower that transitions from a square base to an octagonal shape topped with a Faraday cage. Its exterior features colored gravel mixed into the concrete and decorative mosaics that cover much of the surface.
The tower was built in 1880 by former naval officer Gustave Rivalland as his personal architectural dream project. During World War II, German forces used it as an observation post.
The lower sections display detailed mosaics with roses, unicorns, and eight-pointed stars set into the stonework by hand. These decorations reflect the personal interests of who built it and remain clearly visible today.
The tower is located on Rue Nicolas Rapin and stands out prominently along the street, making it easy to spot. Visitors can view it from the outside, and the mosaic details are easiest to see during daytime hours.
The tower is one of the earliest examples of concrete architecture, mixing it with colored gravel in bold patterns not common for the 1880s. This experimental building method reveals the inventive thinking of the person who designed it.
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