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Origin and history

The Pilori of the princes of Senones is an architectural vestige of the 3rd quarter of the 18th century, located in the commune of Senones, Lorraine (present-day Grand East region). This monument, typical of public justice instruments under the Old Regime, was used to expose and punish convicts. It is located precisely in 3 Place Clémenceau, in the Vosges department, and is integrated into an existing building.

The pillory was linked to the authority of the princes of Salm, local lords, who exercised their judicial power over the region. Its designation as historic monuments, by order of 21 December 1982, bears witness to its heritage importance. Today, it is a rare example of a pillory preserved in France, illustrating the judicial and social practices of the modern era.

At the time of its construction, Senones was a small town in Lorraine with a rural and artisanal economy under the influence of the territorial princes. Pilori, placed in public places, served both as a means of repression and a warning for the population. Their presence reflected a hierarchical society, where seigneurial justice played a central role in maintaining order and nobility.

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