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Origin and history

The Penitent Tower is one of the last remains of the medieval ramparts of Mende, in Lozère. Built in 1161 by Bishop Aldebert, it was originally called a large tower of Auriac and was part of the fortifications of the city. Its circular architecture with a northwest flat includes a blind arching and a summital bell, characteristic of the defensive buildings of the period.

In 1593, the tower was restored by Montmorency Fosseuse, then governor of Mende. In the 17th century, a chapel was attached to it for the brotherhood of the White Penitents, bearing its present name. The tower then served as a bell tower. Its status as a historical monument, obtained in 1943, protects this testimony from the military and religious history of the region.

Located in the centre of Mende, near Place au Blé, the tower illustrates the urban and architectural evolution of the episcopal city. Its dual vocation — defensive and then religious — reflects the social and cultural transformations of Gevaudan between the Middle Ages and the modern era. Today, it is a communal property and remains a symbol of the Lozian heritage.

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