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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Tower of the Virgin, also known as the Tower of the Hospital, is a medieval tower located in the municipality of Tournon-sur-Rhône, in Ardèche. It is part of the former fortifications of Tournon Castle, built in the 16th century under the authority of Claude de la Tour Turelle, Countess of Tournon. Originally, the site had twelve towers to protect the city and its adjacent hospital.

In 1860, a statue of the Virgin Mary, originally planned to adorn the Marc-Seguin bridge on the Rhone, was finally installed at the top of the tower for structural reasons. This monument, symbol of local heritage, bears witness to the defensive architecture of the Renaissance as well as the Marian devotion in the 19th century. The tower has been listed as a historic monument since May 31, 1927.

Today, the tower of the Virgin dominates the ancient centre of Tournon-sur-Rhône and remains a major visual landmark of the city. Its name evokes both its historical role in fortifications and its subsequent religious vocation, marked by the addition of the statue. It also illustrates the evolution of the uses of medieval buildings from military functions to cultural and spiritual symbols.

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