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Origin and history

The Esquirette Tower is one of the few remains of the Episcopal Palace of Lescar, a fortified building built in the 14th century. This palace, located near Notre Dame Cathedral, served as a residence for the bishops of Lescar and was integrated into the city walls. It symbolized both the religious power and military protection of the city during the Middle Ages.

The episcopal palace was destroyed in 1800 during the French Revolution, marking the end of its institutional role. Today, there are only two towers of the original enclosure: the Esquirette tower to the west and the Bishop's tower. The Esquirette tower, adjacent to a door of the same name, could have served as a prison, as evidenced by a small room accessible by a door still visible.

The palace cellars, preserved under the square of the bishopric, now house the Lescar Art and Culture Museum. This site illustrates the medieval heritage of the city and its urban evolution, between religious heritage and contemporary adaptations. The Esquirette Tower, listed as a historic monument in 1929, remains an architectural testimony of that time.

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