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Origin and history

The Lambert Tower is a medieval building located in Lisieux, Calvados, one of the last two remains of the city's fortifications, with a fragment of the Roman enclosure near the cathedral. Built at the end of the 15th century (dated from 1491) and restored in 1587 by architect Guillemot Samaison, it was part of a enclosure flanked by 17 to 20 towers and pierced by four doors, built during the Hundred Years War. The enclosure, preceded by moat, was partially destroyed as early as the 17th century, and its doors removed between 1797 and 1808.

Lambert Tower, listed as a historical monument in 1927, has long been a neglected private property. Repurchased by the city in 2021 for € 40,000, it has been undergoing work since 2024, in particular to repair the damage caused by water infiltration. In March 2024, the vaulted lower hall, decorated with the coat of arms of Lisieux, was freed from its rubble, revealing a tunnel and four galleries with still undetermined functions. An orthophotography study (drone) was conducted in April 2024 to document its structure.

The monument is part of Lisieux's turbulent history, marked by successive destructions: fire in 1136, repeated captures during the Hundred Years' War, and surrender without combat to Charles VII in 1449. The medieval enclosure, decided in 1407 to include the suburbs, was never completed. Today, the Lambert Tower and the Sainte-Anne Tower (Boulevard Sainte-Anne) are the only visible evidence of this defensive system, while the route of the ramparts can be guessed via the current boulevards.

His name is linked to the Lambert mansion, although his original use remains military. The city is now considering opening it to the public, possibly for temporary exhibitions, although its final vocation is not yet stopped. Recent excavations could provide new information on its role in the Lexovian defensive network.

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