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Key figures

Origin and history

The Joliette Tower is part of the walls of Vannes, a fortified complex built between the third and seventeenth centuries to protect the city. Originally built at the end of the 12th century, it was renovated in the second half of the 15th century under the impulse of the Dukes of Brittany, notably John IV and John V. This tower, equipped with artillery clutches, illustrates the evolution of medieval defensive techniques, combining Gallo-Roman heritage and adaptations to firearms.

The Joliette Tower is part of the southern extension of the urban enclosure in the 15th century, when Vannes became a strategic stronghold for the Dukes of Brittany. It is connected to a courtine partially resting on the original Gallo-Roman wall. The ramparts, of which it is part, are classified as historical monuments between 1912 and 1958, marking their heritage importance.

Over the centuries, the walls of Vannes have undergone changes related to conflicts (wars of Religion, League) and urban needs. The Joliette Tower, preserved despite the partial demolitions of the 19th century, bears witness to this turbulent history. Today, it has been protected as historic monuments since 1928 and integrated into tourist routes highlighting Breton defensive heritage.

The ramparts, of which the Joliette Tower is a key element, are characterized by their gradual adaptation to military progress, such as the addition of artillery casemates. Their partial conservation (a third destroyed, a hidden third, a free third) reflects the challenges of heritage preservation in a changing urban context.

The Joliette Tower and associated ramparts are today symbols of the valvey identity. Their presentation, through restorations and cultural events (exhibitions, historical festivals), highlights their role in collective memory and local tourism. The tower, accessible from the rue des Vierges, offers a tangible example of medieval Breton military architecture.

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