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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Lantern of the Dead of Angoulême is a 12th century medieval vestige located in the town of Angoulême, Charente. This monument, typical of the funerary architecture of the time, is distinguished by its upper part preserved, while its body now serves as a chimney to two adjacent houses. Its original location in the "little cemetery" of Saint-André Church, now abandoned, bears witness to its past use linked to local religious and commemorative practices.

Classified as a Historic Monument, the lantern was registered by decree on May 15, 1925, highlighting its heritage value. Available sources, such as the Mérimée base, specify its exact address: in the former cemetery of Saint-André church, at 6 Rue Saint-André. Although its GPS location is considered "passable" (note 5/10), this monument remains a rare and preserved example of the lanterns of the dead, structures often associated with beliefs related to light and soul purification in the Middle Ages.

No information is available on the sponsors or artisans involved in its construction. Similarly, the exact uses of this lantern (rituals, commemorations) are not detailed in the sources consulted. However, its subsequent integration into private homes illustrates a common practice of reusing old buildings, especially in changing urban areas.

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