Lanterne des morts d'Estrées, Historical monument in Saint-Genou, France

The Lanterne des morts d'Estrées is a 12th-century funerary monument in the hamlet of Estrées, part of Saint-Genou in the Indre department. It rises 8.30 to 9 metres: a conical octagonal base 3.40 metres high and 1.15 metres in diameter, walls about 27 centimetres thick, carrying a hollow column entered by a door at the base. Openings on several sides of the upper column let light through, and a conical cap tops it.

The Lanterne des morts d'Estrées was built in the 12th century and originally stood near the cemetery of the old church of Estrées. It was restored in the late 19th or early 20th century and officially listed as a protected monument in 1862.

The name "lanterne des morts" means "lantern of the dead" and points directly to its former place beside the cemetery of the old church of Estrées. Today it stands alone in an open field, and visitors walk around it to look at the small openings near the top that once let light pass through.

The monument stands in an open field on the edge of Saint-Genou and is easy to reach on foot from the surrounding streets. There is no entry fee, and walking around it gives a clear view of all sides without any barriers.

Although the Lanterne des morts d'Estrées now stands alone in a field, it was originally built right next to a church and cemetery that no longer exist. The hollow shaft with its small door was designed so that a wick or torch could be raised all the way to the top, letting light shine out through the openings.