Tour Saint-Antoine, Bell tower and television tower in Loches, France.
Description
The Saint-Antoine Tower is a bell tower with an octagonal top section crowned by a dome featuring four dormer windows. It rises to about 52 meters in height and was once connected to a chapel structure that no longer survives.
History
Construction began in 1529 and continued through the third quarter of the 16th century as the tower was built as part of a larger religious complex. The adjoining chapel eventually disappeared, leaving the tower standing alone as a separate structure.
Culture
The upper levels display stone balustrades and heraldic carvings that represent the local nobility of the region. You can see these carved details today, showing how the tower once reflected the power of families who ruled the area.
Practical
Access to this tower is limited to specific days during European Heritage Days weekends and requires advance registration. Plan your visit by contacting the local tourist office from August onward to reserve your spot.
Did you know?
This is the last surviving belfry in the Touraine region and received official monument protection status during the very first national listing in 1840. Its early recognition as a protected structure makes it a rare witness to how the nation began preserving its architectural heritage.
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