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Origin and history

The Clock Tower, located in the Fort district of Cardaillac (Lot), is a vestige of the medieval castrum of the Cardaillac family. Built in the early 13th century, it was part of a defensive triangular enclosure, completed by two other towers: the tower of Sagnes and the tower of Marquèze (destructed in 1816). Originally named Baron's Tower, it owes its present name to the installation of a municipal bell before World War II. Its architecture reflects its defensive role, with a raised door 3.25 m from the ground and a full base to resist the assaults.

The tower, with a quadrangular section (8.15 m side), peaks at 25.50 m. Its local sandstone walls housed four levels, including two vaults, and a spiral staircase with integrated latrines. Elements such as water-leaf capitals or slits testify to its military use. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1991, it was renovated between 2009 and 2015 to preserve its structure, including its vaults and masonries. His unfinished crown, marked by mâchicoulis, recalls the partial demolitions suffered after Cardaillac's rallying to the Reformation, under Louis XIV.

The tower also served as a belfry, as evidenced by the recesses for heavy goods and the current bell. Its right suspended staircase, linking the upper levels, and its structural healers (now disappeared) illustrated its dual role: defense and reporting. The restoration work highlighted rare architectural details, such as the embrasure pads or the nerve dome on the first floor. A communal property, it embodies the seigneurial heritage and the religious conflicts that marked the medieval Quercy.

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