Thieves
tower
18 m high, pentagonal on the outside, square on the inside, with walls 2 to 5 m thick, the TOUR DES VOLEURS was the defensive tower at the north-western corner of the medieval town.
Surrounded by a first rampart in 1291, access is via a covered walkway.
The Tour des Voleurs was also the site of seigniorial justice and one of the city prisons, hence the presence of :
- the torture chamber, authentic, with its
dungeon
five-meter-deep dungeon and
trap,
a winch used to suspend prisoners to force confessions, as well as the stones attached to their feet, - the
guard room,
on the upper floor, where you could watch them being interrogated ( “questioned”), with a collection of torture instruments.
House of
vinegrower
The tower communicates with a VINE GROWER’S HOUSE (1563), which backs onto the fortifications and is partly converted.
It features :
- the kitchen
with its antique utensils, - a bedroom
with its furniture and wall decor, - the
cellar
where various tools and objects recall the work of the cooper and winemaker (documentary film on barrel-making). - From new window displays evoke the vineyard
The sale of these renowned wines has enabled winegrowers over the centuries to build their stone and timber-framed houses, which still add to the town’s charm.
A temporary exhibition is on display. To find out more about it
click here
