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Origin and history

Argentan's dungeon is a fortified part of the city's ancient defences built between the 12th and 13th centuries. Located in the department of Orne in Normandy, it is part of an almost square urban enclosure, surrounded by deep ditches, which had sixteen towers and three fortified doors. This unclosed polygonal rampart specifically protected the southeast corner of the medieval city. Mahé Square, near the Dukes' castle and Saint-Germain's church, is now partially in place.

Contrary to its name, the "donjon" is not an isolated tower but a section of stone wall, characteristic of 13th century fortifications. It served as a retaining wall for a terrace overlooking the city, with a vertical base of five meters, followed by a glacis and a slightly inclined upper part. The ramparts were partially demolished from 1618, and only this element remains today, classified as a Historic Monument since 1945.

The construction of the ramparts is attributed to Henri I, lord of Argentan and Duke of Normandy, although the visible parts were not before the thirteenth century. At the end of the 14th century, Argentan was a powerfully defended stronghold, with a three-doored urban enclosure. The Marguerite Tower, the only remaining tower, and the dungeon still bear witness to this medieval defensive system.

The monument is now owned by the municipality of Argentan. Its state of conservation makes it possible to observe medieval fortification techniques, although its openness to the public or its current uses are not specified in the available sources. The remains are located in Mahé Square, right in the city centre, at the approximate address of 1 Mahé Square.

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