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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Mognet Tower of Moncontour is part of a fortified enclosure whose origins date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when the current route was established. This strategic site, known by various Latin names as Castrum Moncontorium or Mons Consulis, was a major highlight. The first defensive developments were reinforced in the 14th century, including the addition of a door flanked by a tower, divided into two separate pedestrian and vehicle crossings. The Mognet Tower itself, built around 1400, is partly based on an older western tower dating from the 13th or 14th centuries.

In the 15th century, the Mognet Tower, about 10 metres in diameter, played a key role in the Moncontour defensive system. It was connected by a wall to the dungeon, now disappeared. The enclosure, originally equipped with a single door for vehicles, was modified at the end of the 14th century to improve its functionality and protection. These changes reflect the changing military and urban needs of the time, in a region marked by conflict and territorial control issues.

The Mognet Tower and the remains of adjoining ramparts were classified as Historic Monument by order of 31 March 1926. Although the property is now private, these remains bear witness to the strategic importance of Moncontour, whose history spans centuries, from medieval origins to late development. The approximate location, noted as "passable" (level 5/10), highlights the challenges of preserving and valuing this heritage.

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