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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Clock Tower is one of the few vestiges of the old fortifications of Lescure-d Originally built in the 14th century as part of the ramparts surrounding the city, it served as the main entrance and was protected by moat. These fortifications, now almost entirely extinct, bear witness to the strategic importance of the site in medieval times. The tower was completely rebuilt in 1563 during the Wars of Religion, then restored in 1614 to guard against further Protestant attacks. Its current red brick architecture reflects these successive reconstructions.

The tower adopts a quadrangular shape, typical of the defensive constructions of the era. It is surmounted by mâchicoulis and niches, and pierced by murderers, characteristic elements of medieval fortifications. A harrow once protected its passage in a broken arc, while a small guard room on the first floor was used to monitor the surroundings. At the top, a bell and two round clocks, added at the beginning of the twentieth century, overlook the two-sided roof. An adjacent wall vestige and the traces of an old bridge crossing the moat recall the extent of the original fortifications, now missing.

Ranked a historical monument by decree of 23 February 1911, the Clock Tower illustrates the architectural and military evolution of the region, marked by the religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its state of conservation makes it a valuable testimony of local history, although most of the ramparts have been destroyed. The tower now belongs to the municipality and remains a symbol of the Albige heritage, accessible from the Place de l'Horloge in the heart of the village.

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