Construction of lantern XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Period of construction under the stewards.
20 décembre 1973
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 20 décembre 1973 (≈ 1973)
Official protection by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Lantern with pillars (old) , at the east end of Rue de la Brêche (cad. not cadastralized; public domain): registration by decree of 20 December 1973
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any specific actors.
Origin and history
Saramon's pillar lantern is an iconic 18th-century historic monument located in the village of Saramon, Occitanie. This public lighting device, typical of the Gascony of the time, consists of two polygonal pillars in flat bricks, laid on square bases. These pillars are connected by an iron frame forged in the shape of an accolade, designed to support an oil lantern. The set illustrates the intendants' efforts to modernize the agglomerations by introducing functional urban lighting.
In the 18th century, street lighting was a major innovation aimed at improving safety and nightlife in villages. Saramon's lantern, originally descended to the ground using a rope system integrated into one of the pillars, reflects the craft techniques of the time. Its mechanism, though rudimentary, shows practical ingenuity to facilitate oil maintenance and refuelling.
This monument, listed in the inventory of Historical Monuments by decree of 20 December 1973, is now owned by the municipality of Saramon. It is located at the eastern end of Rue de la Brêche, in a non-cadastre public space. Although its original use has disappeared, it remains a valuable vestige of the urban and technical history of the region, recalling the evolution of public infrastructure under the Old Regime.
