Construction of the enclosure XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Construction period attested by sources.
19 juillet 1926
Classification of the tower
Classification of the tower 19 juillet 1926 (≈ 1926)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Origin and history
The enclosure of Charleville-Mézières is a historical monument located in the city of the same name, in the department of Ardennes (Great East region). Although its overall period is not specified in the sources, its construction dates back to the 15th century, as the available data show. Today, only one tower of this enclosure remains, protected by a registration order in 1926. This vestige testifies to the strategic importance of the city at that time, although its present state and its urban integration make its location approximate (accuracy level: 5/10 according to the Merimée base).
The protected tower, owned by the municipality, is the only remaining visible element of the medieval enclosure. The sources do not specify whether it is open to visit, but its status as a Historic Monument underscores its heritage value. The GPS coordinates available place the site near the Quai de la Tour du Roy, although this location must be confirmed. No information is provided on any characters related to its construction or history, or on any significant events taking place there.
The department of Ardennes, integrated into the Grand Est region (formerly Champagne-Ardenne), has several similar medieval remains, reflecting a period when cities were protected by ramparts. Urban fora such as Charleville-Mézières served both as a military defence and a symbol of power for local communities. Their decline, from the Renaissance, has often left room for partial dismantling, explaining the scarcity of traces preserved today.