Towers to visit France

What an emblem! The Lu Tower is best visited from the outside. The two 38-meter high Art Nouveau towers erected by the famous cookie maker from Nantes were demolished in the 1970s. One of them was rebuilt identically in 1998. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the city, after climbing its 130 steps. At the top, the visit begins with the gyrorama: a machine that turns with a crank. It continues with the descent of the staircase, where we discover the history of the factory, via a video and archive photos.

Not a postcard from here without seeing it enthroned, imperial and majestic, over the city. And for good reason... The emblematic monument of Auxerre, the Clock Tower has dominated the historic center for more than 500 years. It is impossible to pass by without admiring this superb monument decorated with its astronomical clock whose two hands indicate the solar and lunar movements. Built on the foundations of the Gallo-Roman city walls in the 12th century, it was used as a prison in the 14th century while continuing to serve as the city's clock. In 1825, a fire broke out during repair work on the spire and it collapsed. The tower was then partially rebuilt, at a lower cost. Its destruction was even considered. Fortunately, protected by its registration as a historical monument, it was finally rebuilt identically in 1890. Since then, in the heart of the pedestrian district, it marks with its superb architecture an admirably preserved city center. All the more so since its long and magnificent renovation completed in the summer of 2022. No doubt, the Clock Tower has never been so beautiful!

Note that you can still admire the bases of the ancient Gallo-Roman castrum in the tea room of the chocolate maker Gregory Ferret just next door. Finally, next to the tower, the covered passage used to be the house of the famous revolutionary bailiff Cadet Roussel, a great local figure of the 18th century. A commemorative plaque reminds us of this fact.

A must, this 12th-century tower contains a rare pictorial decoration. On two floors, you can discover medieval frescoes of the 13th century that have been remarkably preserved which tells the adventures and struggles led by Charles d'Anjou - brother of Saint Louis - in southern Italy, in the manner of a life-size cartoon. Its central character, Charles Anjou, is particularly well represented with his royal crown and white dress covered with lilies.

Overlooking its high stature and the oil port, Antifer's lighthouse is also the guardian of the city of Le Havre and that of the sea. He has been guiding the sailors since 1894. The current building, up to 37 meters above sea level, was built in 1949, replacing the first building destroyed by the German army in September 1944. Every twenty seconds, its light beam illuminates the horizon and warns the boats. The peaceful nature in the surrounding area remains impassive to the ballet of these marine monsters.