Tower of la Babote

Tower of la Babote — not exactly the kind of structure you expect to stumble upon in the middle of modern Montpellier! But that’s part of its charm. Standing tall and solid in this eclectic urban landscape, this medieval tower is a rare survivor of the city’s old fortifications. In the early 13th century, Lord Guilhem VIII built a massive defensive wall around Montpellier, stretching over 2.6 km with eight gates and 25 towers. La Babote is one of just two that remain. Originally 15 metres tall, it once overlooked the moat that surrounded the city. Additional floors were added in the 18th century, including one to house an astronomical observatory, run by the Royal Academy of Sciences. It operated until 1793 and was even used later for telegraphic communications. Today, the tower is home to the city’s chess club and an amateur astronomy group. But perhaps the most legendary moment in its history happened in 1783, when French inventor Louis-Sébastien Lenormand leapt from the top with what’s considered the world’s first parachute — right in front of an amazed crowd that supposedly included Joseph Montgolfier, future creator of the hot air balloon. Named from the Occitan “Babita,” meaning ghost—a fitting nickname given the local tales of spirits said to wander around its base— the Tower of la Babote continues to carry centuries of stories — from medieval stronghold to skydiving stage — high above the streets of Montpellier.