Samois Tower, Abandoned observation tower in Samois-sur-Seine, France
Samois Tower is an abandoned observation structure built from stone, rising approximately 117 meters high on a rocky outcrop above the Seine River. The building displays neo-medieval and eclectic architectural features combined in a distinctive form that stands out from the surrounding forest landscape.
Built in 1880 by architect Isidore Hébert, this tower originally served as a key geodetic survey site for measuring and mapping the region. The structure gradually fell into disuse during the 20th century and remains abandoned today.
The tower represents the late 19th-century French architectural movement that combined traditional stone construction methods with modern observation purposes.
The tower remains closed to visitors due to deterioration and can only be viewed from distant vantage points within the surrounding forest. The surrounding terrain is accessible, allowing visitors to see and photograph the structure from the outside.
The tower was designed with neo-medieval elements despite being built in the late 19th century, making it an unusual blend of historical styles. This deliberate architectural choice reflected the arts and crafts movement of the era, which reinvented traditional forms.
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