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Origin and history

La Torre Vecchia is a monument located in the commune of Villefranche-sur-Mer, on the French Riviera. Although its name evokes an ancient tower, the available sources do not specify its date of construction or its initial use. Its name and coastal location suggest, however, a link to the defensive or maritime history of the region.

In the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, constructions of this type were often associated with coastal surveillance or ship signs. Villefranche-sur-Mer, a strategic natural port, has long played a key role in Mediterranean trade. Coastal towers were generally used as anti-invasion watchpoints or benchmarks for sailors, reflecting the importance of protection and trade in this geographically exposed area.