Tour d'Oingt, Historical monument in Val d'Oingt, France
The Tour d'Oingt, also known as the Donjon, is a medieval stone tower in the village of Val d'Oingt in the Beaujolais region of France, listed as a historical monument. The tower stands about 59 feet (18 meters) tall, with thick stone walls, small window openings, and a rectangular shape that has changed little over the centuries.
The tower was built before 1183 and became part of a larger set of fortifications erected in the 13th century, when the area served as a border point between different medieval territories. The village municipality has owned it since 1912, and a local association was set up in 1964 to fund its restoration.
The Tour d'Oingt is also known locally as the Donjon, a name that reflects its original role as the main defensive tower of the village. Inside, each floor holds a small exhibition covering topics like local history, winemaking, and how the land has changed over the centuries.
The tower sits in the center of the village of Val d'Oingt and is easy to reach on foot from the surrounding streets. The climb to the top involves narrow stairs, so sturdy footwear is a good idea.
On a clear day, the terrace at the top of the tower offers a view stretching as far as the Alps, the Bugey hills, and the Monts d'Or range. The first floor inside holds an exhibition that traces the local landscape all the way back to when the area was covered by a prehistoric sea.
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