Musée de la Tour des Prisons
Museum in a medieval tower in Lunel that served as a prison until 1917 and preserves around 300 prisoners' graffiti.
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About the museum
The tower, about 16 metres high, was part of the town's defences and guarded the Notre-Dame gate. From the Wars of Religion in the 16th century until 1917, it was used as a prison. It is attached to the Maison du Viguier, a Renaissance building that now houses the tourist office.
After several months of restoration, the tower opened as a museum on September 20, 2014. It has been listed as a historic monument since 1998. Visitors can tour it on their own or with a guide.
The route includes a cell on the first floor, two dungeons, a level of the wall walk and, at the top, a guardroom that also served as a holding room for prisoners transferred between Montpellier and Nîmes. Around 300 graffiti left by prisoners cover the cell walls: names, prayers, crosses, liturgical objects and messages. Objects found during excavations, including some from the latrines, are also on display.
Highlights
- Around 300 prisoner graffiti in the cells
- Three-level Renaissance spiral staircase
- Guardroom with a 17th-century ceiling of coquillère stone
- Objects found during excavations of the latrines
- Free self-guided visit
Permanent exhibition
- La tour-prison et ses graffitis – The route through the cells, dungeons and guardroom highlights the prisoners' graffiti and the objects found during excavations.
- Founded
- 2014
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free visits cost nothing. Guided tours are charged and by appointment only; the summer 2026 offer was €4 (full price) and €3 (reduced), free for under-10s, with groups limited to 15 people.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tourist information sheet refers to the AccesLibre database without detailing the tower's facilities.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Lunel – Gare Multimodale · 9-min walk · 764 m
Train: Lunel station, about a 9-minute walk (754 m). Bus: stop “Lunel – Gare Multimodale”, about a 9-minute walk (764 m).
Coach access and parking are signposted.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours are in French only, on request or by appointment at the tourist office. The cells are poorly lit, and staff lend a torch so the graffiti can be seen in raking light. |
