The Tour royale, also known as the tour romaine, is a medieval tower located in the commune of Gallargues-le-Montueux, in the Gard department. Situated at the top of the village, the building was used around 1830 as a relay for the Chappe optical telegraph system. The tower was officially listed as a historical monument in 1875.
From 1832 to 1852, the tour royale housed one of the 534 Chappe aerial transmission systems. The tower underwent a restoration by the municipality between 1987 and 1992 under the supervision of the Monuments historiques. This work preserved the structure while preparing it for its modern role.
Following the restoration, the association du Patrimoine Gallarguois coordinated with the municipality, the Histelpost association, and the FNARH to realize a mechanism completely conforming to the original model. This complete and functional Chappe telegraph system was inaugurated on November 6, 2010. The tower can be found on rue de la Réforme in Gallargues-le-Montueux.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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