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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Moricq tower, located in Angles in Vendée, is a vestige of medieval fortifications built on an ancient castral motte. Its origin dates back to at least the eleventh century, with the mention in 1090 of Giraudus de Morech, the first known lord of Moricq. A castral motte and a stone castle probably existed as early as the 12th century, whose Romanesque foundations remain under the current tower.

The current tower was rebuilt around 1435 by Régnault Girard, Mayor of La Rochelle, who had acquired the castle in 1430. It replaced an older cylindrical dungeon, whose Romanesque vaults in the basement still bear witness. This dungeon was strategic, protecting the port of Moricq, active in the trade of wine, cereals and wood towards La Rochelle and Bordeaux, as well as the navigable mouth of the Lay.

During the Wars of Religion (1565-1628), the tower was used by Protestants and then served as a prison after the revocation of the edict of Nantes in 1685. Graffitis of that time were found there. In the 18th century, after the dewatering of the marshes, it was transformed into a wheat attic, in connection with the port activity that lasted until the 19th century. The tower, surrounded by moat fed by the Lay, was defended by mâchicoulis, crossbows and cannon guns.

Ranked a historic monument since 6 August 1915, the tower was bought by the town of Angles in 1988 for restoration. Its architecture includes a 15.40 metre high rectangular dungeon, initially flanked by a cylindrical tower with a screw staircase. Excavations and archaeological studies suggest the presence of old ancillary buildings, such as stables and a chapel, although it has never been found.

Two hypotheses of architectural restitution are proposed for its original appearance: one inspired by the dungeon-door d'Argy, the other by the Bonneuil style in Saint-Génard. The tower illustrates the evolution of medieval fortifications, moving from a purely defensive function to an economic and symbolic role in the local landscape.

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