Highlight Tower dans le Lot-et-Garonne

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Highefage Tower was built in the early 16th century by two bishops of Agen of the della Rovere family: Leonardo Grosso della Rovere (1487–1519) and his successor Antonio (1519–1538). Designed as an episcopal residence, its construction probably remained unfinished. From the 17th century, it became the bell tower of the church of Notre Dame below, before being classified as a historical monument in 1883.

In the 19th century, the tower, semi-ruined, was restored between 1888 and 1910s: addition of a balustrade, foothills with pinnacles and a conical slate cover. Transformed into a water castle in 1957 (reservoir abandoned in 1974), it underwent new restorations after 2007, with demolition of the reservoir in 2013 and restoration of the floors and bells on the third floor.

Architecturally atypical, this three-storey hexagonal tower, located on a hillside, dominates a deep valley. Its external screw staircase (122 steps) serves levels marked by cords. The windows combine Renaissance (first floor) and Gothic (second floor), while the third floor, with large bays, offers a panoramic view. The door in the middle of the hanger, formerly adorned, and the staircase turret underline its residential and symbolic character.

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