Daudece Tower

Daudece Tower, locally known as Tour Daudece, lies in a small field in the hamlet of Le Châtelet-sur-Sormonne, in the Ardennes department in France.

Daudece Tower was built on a cliff next to a bend in the Sormonne river. It is said to have been built on the site of an earlier Roman fortification, for when the tower was partially demolished in 1792 a large quantity of Roman coins was found. It was probably part of a larger castle which was destroyed in 1426.

I think it was an outpost for Châtelet-Haut Castle which is situated on the other side of the river on a more elevated position further from the river.

At the start of the 20th century the tower was restored. I think it was probably used as a chapel of some sort because I saw the remnant of an altar inside and on an 1904 postcard there is a crucifix above the entrance.

The exterior of Daudece Tower can freely be visited. A very nice lonely tower.

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