Do you spend your holidays in the pretty city of Montpellier? Direction the historic center to visit the Tower of the Babote!
For forty years, the beautiful city of Montpellier has attracted a growing number of visitors, who have come to enjoy an exceptional quality of life and a remarkable cultural heritage. Close to Spain, this dynamic and multicultural student city is full of museums, concert halls and festivals. Close to the Mediterranean, Montpellier is also easily accessible from the main cities of France. This is the ideal place to spend your holidays with family or friends.
Among the countless visits to Montpellier, the Tour de la Babote is not to be missed. According to the legend, it was from this tourque Sébastien Lenormand, inventor of the parachute, would have realized his first jump on December 26, 1783.
Want to discover one of the remnants of the Montpelliéraine fortifications? Here is everything you need to know to visit the Tour de la Babote in Montpellier.
History of the Tower of the Babote
Photo credit: Wikimedia
Built by Guilhem 6 in 1205, the Tour de la Babote is part of the former fortifications of Montpellier. Located on boulevard de l’Observatoire, it is now one of the only vestiges of the ancient walls of the city, whose construction began at the end of the 12th century. These fortifications then consisted of twelve entrance gates and extended over forty-five hectares. Today, only the door of the Blanquerie (located at the bottom of the University Street), and the door of the Pila Saint Gély, still remain.
Babot, symbol of astronomy
In 1740, the States of the Languedoc granted the construction of an observatory on the basis of the Tower of the Babote, also called bath tower or round of the belette . In 1745, once the work was completed, the Academy of Sciences took possession of it. From 1757 to 1761, it was the turn of the Royal Society of Science to install its seat there. It is here that astronomy would be born, when Abbé Picard , a renowned astronomer, gathers around him enthusiasts of the universe. But time passes and, gradually, the tower deteriorates, as well as the instruments that are there. The observatory is finally abandoned.
On January 1, 1832, Chappe telegraph is installed on its roof for military purposes. Encoded messages are sent to Paris, thanks to two large articulated arms, and two telegraphic lines: that of Nîmes, Avignon, Lyon and Dijon and that of Narbonne, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Tours. Communications were also established with Marseille, Toulon and Bayonne.
After completing renovation work, the Faculty of Science retrieves the building and conducts astronomical and meteorological studies. She left the building in 1890. In 1899, the Société doombophile de l’Hérault settled in its walls.
In 1903, the Babote, found its astronomical vocation for a time, welcoming the Flammarion Society. It was then classified in 1927 to the historical monuments of France. In 1950, the mayor of Montpellier attributes the premises of the Tour de Babote to the City’s Entente Bibliophile. A museum is installed there. Finally, in 1981, the Astronomical Society of Montpellier took its quarters.
What to see and what to do at the Tower of the Babote?
Photo credit: Shutterstock / goumi
Visit the Tower of the Babote
Visiting the Tower of the Babote requires a guide. Reservations are made directly to the Tourist Office, located on Place de la Comédie in Montpellier.
On the first floor you will discover the Astronomical society of Montpellier , as well as an exhibition room that pays tribute to the history of the Tour de la Babote and astronomy in the region.
Participate in a star observation
To learn more, you have to go to the second floor. This is where every fifteen days, the members of the Société d’astronomie de Montpellier gather to address a specific theme.
At the top of the Tower of the Babote, there is a 250 mm telescope , computer driven, allowing to observe Jupiter, Saturn and of course the Moon. Depending on the seasons, you will clearly distinguish the rings of Saturn, the red task of Jupiter, the Galaxy of Andromeda and the brightest nebula. To participate in these observation evenings, contact the Société d’astronomie de Montpellier directly.
Des sky observations open to the public, are also regularly organized Pic-Saint-Loup by the Company. She also got the NASA label as “asteroid hunters”. To date, the members of the Astronomy Society have discovered ninety.
How to go to the Tower of the Babote?
Go to Montpellier
- By train
The train is a simple way to get to Montpellier. The city is well served by TGV, TER and intercity trains.
- By plane
You can also decide to fly and land at the airport of Montpellier-Fréjorgues. You can easily find flights from the main cities of France. And by taking you there in advance, you should benefit from interesting rates. To compare prices, go to Ulysses
Once at the airport, the 120-line shuttle takes you directly to downtown Montpellier. Departure is scheduled every fifteen minutes. You can also take line 1 of the tram, direction Odysseum, to get to the station of Montpellier.
- By bus
Many bus companies offer routes to Montpellier, from the main cities of France. The bus has the advantage of offering you an excellent value for money.
- By car
It is very easy to drive to Montpellier from most cities in France. To give you an example, you will need a little less than eight hours of travel from Paris. And for a more environmentally friendly holiday, think about carpooling!
Go to the Tower of the Babote
The tower is located on 17 boulevard de l’Observatoire.
To get there, follow lines 3 or 4 of the tram and go down to the Observatory station.
Schedules and rates of the Tower of the Babote
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Inu
HORARI
The visits take place only on reservation and the proposed hours vary depending on the day.
To visit the Tour de la Babote in Montpellier, contact the Tourist Office or approach a tourist agency (on site or online) offering guided tours.
RATES
- Adult : 8€
- Student, over 65, unemployed and holder of a disability card : 6€
- Under 18, accompanied by an adult : free
BON A LEARN
1. The guided tour lasts about One hour.
2. Careful, you're gonna have to climb more one hundred and thirty steps to visit the Tower of the Babote. It is therefore not accessible to strollers and people with reduced mobility.
3. For reduced rates, plan one supporting documentation ! You will be requested by the Tourist Office.
4. Eight participants minimum are necessary for the visit to take place. In addition, the guided tour cannot accommodate more than 17 people.
5. You can buy your tickets on Internet or by phone up to one hour before the visit.
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