Papegault Tower

Papegault Tower, locally known as Tour du Papegault, lies in the center of the town of Montfort-sur-Meu, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in France.

Papegault Tower was the keep of the former castle of Montfort, which in its part was part of the town walls. This castle, rebuilt on the site of an earlier one from the 11th century, was built by Raoul VIII in 1389. This castle was destroyed in 1627.

The name of the tower, in old French, translates to Parrot Tower. It received its name from a medieval yearly archery contest in which a wooden parrot was placed on top of the tower which the contestants had to hit.

During the 19th and 20th century it served as a prison.

At present Papegault Tower can be visited for a small fee. Inside are 4 floors, reached through a spiral staircase, which are now used as a small regional museum. On the circular wall walk you have a nice view of the town. A very nice tower; I especially like its red stones.

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