The Crest Tower (La tour de Crest ) is the former keep of the medieval castle of Crest in Drôme (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France). It rises to 52 meters in height. It is, with the dungeon of Vincennes, is one of the highest in Europe since the destruction in 1917 of the 54-meter dungeon of Coucy.
The Crest Tower in its current state occupies the north-eastern part of the old castle, the base of the ramparts and the glacis of which are still visible.
The separation of the lordship between two families had led to the formation of two poles: the “upper castle” belonged to the Arnauds (then the bishops of Die), the “lower castle” belonged to the Count of Valentinois. The reunion of the lordship led to the disappearance of the buildings erected for the Arnauds and the bishops, in favor of increases in the count’s tower.
The “old tower” (12th century), a defensive keep with a pentagonal plan and with its shield wall built before 1332 during a second phase protect the “upper castle”.
Various defensive and residential additions were added in the 13th and 14th centuries. A description from 1394 shows that the various arrangements still visible today were already in place.
Working hours
Friday
10 AM–7 PM
Saturday
10 AM–7 PM
Sunday
10 AM–7 PM
Monday
10 AM–7 PM
Tuesday
10 AM–7 PM
Wednesday
10 AM–7 PM
Thursday
10 AM–7 PM
How to get to?
From Paris: 6 hr 6 min (593 km) via A6
From Lyon: 1 hr 43 min (133 km) via A7
From Marseille: 2 hr 17 min (211 km) via A7
From Nice: 3 hr 51 min (370 km) via A8 and A7
From Toulouse: 4 hr 17 min (436 km) via A61 and A9
From Monaco: 4 hr 7 min (392 km) via A8 and A7
From Andorra: 6 hr 3 min (563 km) via A9
See also France travel guide
See also Spain travel guide
See also Pyrenees travel guide
See also Andorra travel guide
