Town Fortification Aigues-Mortes-Tour Constance

The origins of the fortifications date back to 1248, when King Louis the Saint began construction of the 1650-meter-long city wall. The Tour Constance itself was built between 1242 and 1254 under Louis IX on the foundations of the older Tour Matafère, which already existed around 790 under Charlemagne. The tower served as a prison: in the 14th century, Templars were imprisoned here, from the 17th century Huguenots, and in 1815, Napoleon's officers. One of the most famous prisoners was the Huguenot Marie Durand, who was incarcerated here for 38 years and released in 1768. According to tradition, she carved the word “Resister” into a well inside the tower. Since 1903, the tower has been listed as a historical monument.

The city fortifications are located in Aigues-Mortes in the Gard department, Occitanie region, France, at an elevation of approximately 8 meters above sea level.