LaRochelle: The Lantern Tower

Here are samples of the graffiti scratched into the walls of the prison, done mostly by foreign mariners.  The oldest one we saw was the one below, dated 1666. 

 

 

These images have given historians accurate accounts of the ships and other details of the period. 

Cindy took this from above as we trekked up the spiral staircase to the top 

This is the top---looking up---to the point of the tower.  Let it be known that Cindy was the only one to get there.  The spiral staircase going ever upward and getting narrower and narrower was too claustrophobic for the others.  The view from the top of the red roofs below and the ancient city was rewarding.