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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Boucher Tower is a vestige of the medieval enclosure of Lauterbourg, first mentioned in 1252 as property of the bishopric of Spire. The upper town, which was called the "d'oppidum" in 1272, was already fortified, while the lower town was later protected, probably in the 15th century. This tower, typical of medieval military architecture, features overhanging arch friezes, a vaulted ground floor in a cradle and two floors. She served as a prison until 1761, testifying to her defensive and prison role in the city.

In the 18th century, under Louis XIV, Lauterbourg was transformed into a strong stronghold. The medieval walls on the north (to Lauter) and south (to the "precipice") were preserved but modified, while the east and west walls were replaced by earth fortifications, with horned and half-mooned structures. The Butchers tower, made of slender limestone, escaped these major changes, unlike other elements such as the middle gate tower (destroyed during the Second World War), 42 meters high and decorated with a statue of the Virgin in 1748. The current remains thus reflect both the Middle Ages and the military adaptations of the 17th–15th centuries.

The tower was listed as a historic monument in 1993, recognizing its heritage value. Its name probably evokes its later use or a local corporation, although the sources do not specify its exact origin. Today it is owned by the municipality, it stands on Rue de la Gare, the last witness with the Gloriette (recast in 1852) and portions of the southern wall of the medieval enclosure, integrated into the urban landscape of Lauterbourg, a border town marked by its military history and Alsatian heritage.

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