Solidor Tower

The Solidor Tower, locally known as Tour Solidor, stands in the Saint-Servan neighborhood of the city of Saint-Malo, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in France.

The Solidor Tower was built between 1369 and 1382 by John V, Duke of Brittany. It was built at the harbour of the formerly independent town of Saint-Servan, situated in the estuary of the river Rance. It was meant to control access to the Rance at a time when the city of Saint-Malo was rebelling against the authority of the Duke.

In 1588 the people of Saint-Malo seized the tower on behalf of Philippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercœur, quite easily as it was only guarded by 5 or 6 men. In 1590 it was manned by a captain, 3 soldiers, a servant and 2 watchdogs.

The Solidor Tower was repaired on the orders of Louis XIII of France, in 1636. And in 1694 the care of the tower was given over to the people of Saint-Servan.

During the 18th century the tower lost its military importance and during the French Revolution and the French First Republic it was used as a prison for priests, nuns and soldiers.

In 1886 it became a monument and was subsequently restored. It was only then that it got its present slate roof.

Since 1970 it houses a museum. The present Solidor Tower is a solitary keep with 3 flanking towers and a guardhouse.

At present Solidor Tower can not be visited. The museum it houses is being renovated and it is expected to open again in 2022. Too bad, I am very curious about its interior. A very nice tower. The Fort Aleth is nearby. Also the beautiful walled city of Saint-Malo itself, with its castle and several forts (amongst them Fort National and Fort Petit-Bé) is very much worth your visit.

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