Direction starsThe Tour de la Babote

The Tour de la Babote

The Tour de la Babote is a relic of the old 12th-century fortifications around L’Ecusson, Montpellier’s historical centre, and has been listed as a historical monument since 1927.

Getting there

A remarkable point of view

A bit of History

In 1740, the States of Languedoc agreed to build an observatory on the foundations of one of the rampart towers. The Tour de la Babote became an observatory in 1745 and was taken over by the Académie des Sciences, then the Société Royale des Sciences.

In 1832 the Tour de la Babote was taken over by the telegraph department.

Today, the premises are occupied by the Fédération d’Astronomie Populaire Amateur du Midi (South of France Amateur Astronomy Federation).

The Tour de la Babote is another unmissable view on the city and its surroundings with the Triumphal Arch, St Peter’s Cathedral, the Arbre Blanc (White Tree)…

An easy way to take your next profile picture?

Did you know ?

Myth or reality ?

Legend or reality: on December 26th, 1783, Sébastien Lenormand, inventor of the parachute, would have tested his invention by jumping from the building.

Discover this place via the guided Tour “The Tour de la Babote: higher towards the stars” (in French)