Construction of the enclosure 1476–1483 (≈ 1480)
Under Louis XI, by Vauzy de Saint-Martin.
XVIe siècle–1960
Prison tower as a prison
Prison tower as a prison XVIe siècle–1960 (≈ 1650)
Prison use for four centuries.
1767
Bridging of ditches
Bridging of ditches 1767 (≈ 1767)
Start of partial demolition.
1980
Opening of the museum
Opening of the museum 1980 (≈ 1980)
Prison Tower transformed into a museum.
24 mai 1996
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 24 mai 1996 (≈ 1996)
Protection of remaining remains.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fortifications consisting of a enclosure comprising the citadel, the tower of the Paille, the gate of Saint-Antoine, the tower of the Bateau, the gate of the Barge, the tower of Saint-Jean, the gate of the Mother, the prison tower, the gate of Doyat and the underground courts that connect them (these fortifications follow the following route: Place du Centenaire-de-la-Republique, Cours Tracy, Cours Arloing, Place de la République, Cours Lafayette, Place Félix-Cornil (non-cadaster, public domain); Cad. BT 197, 198, 201, crossing of the rue Pasteur, 208, 209, 207, crossing of the rue du Président-Wilson, 222 (school), 6, crossing of the place Louis-Blanc, elongation on the western edge of the rue des Fossés de la Tour Prisonière (cadastral tower BS 153); BS 154, crossing the boulevard du Général-de-Gaulle, 5 (hospital): entry by order of 24 May 1996
Key figures
Louis XI - King of France
Sponsor of fortifications.
Vauzy de Saint-Martin - Military architect
Manufacturer of the enclosure.
Origin and history
The fortifications of Cusset were built between 1476 and 1483, during the reign of Louis XI, in a context of conflicts with Burgundy and Bourbonnais. Commanded by the king and carried out by Vauzy de Saint-Martin, these defences sought to secure the south-east border of the kingdom. The enclosure, longer than one kilometre, was girded with ditches and reinforced by four cannon towers and four doors, including the doors of Doyat and Saint-Antoine, now partially buried.
From the 18th century, fortifications lost their strategic utility after the displacement of borders. By 1767 the ditches were filled and the walls served as a career. The prison tower, the only structure preserved in elevation, became a prison from the 16th century to the 1960s before building a museum since 1980. It is 18 metres high and 23 metres wide, and features a white sandstone and black basalt checker, typical of the military architecture of the time.
The protected remains also include underground galleries of the old gates and courtyards, classified as historical monuments in 1996. These elements, though partially demolished or buried, testify to Cusset's strategic importance in the late Middle Ages. Today, the Prison Tower and the traces of the doors offer an overview of this defensive system, marked by Renaissance military engineering.
The polygonal enclosure, initially defended by corner towers (such as the Tower of the Boat or the Saint John Tower), followed a precise route through the present city, visible via streets and squares such as the Centennial Square or the Arloing courtyard. The property of the fortifications now belongs to the municipality of Cusset, which ensures its preservation.
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