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Origin and history

The Tower of La Babotte, also known as the Tower of La Babote, is a vestige of the old ramparts of Montpellier, built in the late twelfth or early thirteenth century. It was 26 metres high and was one of the 25 towers of the fortified enclosure protecting the medieval city. With the Pine Tower and the gates of Blanquerie and Pila Saint-Gély, it is one of the few preserved elements of this fortification, partially destroyed from the 18th century.

In 1739, the Royal Academy of Sciences obtained permission to set up an astronomical observatory, raising the tower from its existing balustrade. The work, led by Marshal d'Asfeld, was completed in 1745. The observatory operated until 1793, marking a major scientific period for Montpellier. The tower then became a place of experimentation, such as that of physicist Louis-Sébastien Lenormand, who tested his parachute there in December 1783 in front of Joseph Montgolfier.

In the 19th century, the tower changed its use several times: it housed the Chappe telegraph in 1832, then served as a dovecote for the Herault Colombophile Society. The astronomers returned briefly from 1902 to 1922, before the Fédération d'astronomie populaire amateur du Midi finally settled there in 1981. Today, it also hosts Montpellier chess club.

Ranked a historic monument since 4 August 1927, the Tower of La Babotte illustrates the evolution of Montpellier, moving from a medieval defensive function to a scientific and cultural role. Its architecture combines a 14th century base with an elevation of the 18th century, while its rooms, like the vaulted one on the first floor, testify to its varied uses.

Historical sources, including the works of Jean-Michel Faidit and the archives of the Academy of Sciences, underline its importance in local history. The references to Mérimée and the heritage bases confirm its status as a protected heritage, linked to the urbanization and technical innovation of Montpellier.

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