Vieille Tour (Avoise)

Vieille Tour is a 16th-century watchtower in Avoise, a small commune in the Sarthe department, standing in the valley of the river that gives the region its name. It sits roughly 50 metres east of the Saint-Sulpice church and has been listed as a French historic monument since 1926.

What exactly is this tower?

Locally the tower goes by another name, "Tour à Sel" (Salt Tower), and that nickname explains its original job better than the official title does. It was built to keep watch over salt cargo unloaded from barges coming down the Sarthe from Le Mans — a guard stationed at the top could see the river traffic and monitor deliveries below. The tower was never meant to stand alone; it was once part of a larger complex of outbuildings, none of which survive today.

How do you get there?

The tower stands on rue du Grenier à Sel in Avoise (72430), in the eastern part of the Pays de Sablé area. It's an easy landmark to find: head to the Saint-Sulpice church and walk a short distance east, toward the Sarthe valley. Its coordinates are approximately 47°51'57"N, 0°12'21"W.

What will you actually see?

The structure is a massive, square block with only a handful of narrow openings — form following function, built for defence and observation rather than looks. Old photographs and postcards from around 1900 show it capped with a distinctive pyramidal roof. In the 1960s, the local authorities had the upper section lowered for safety reasons, so today's silhouette differs from those pre-war images, even though the main body of the tower has survived intact and remains standing as communal property.

When and how should you visit?

The tower can be viewed from the outside free of charge, at any time — it's more of a stop along an Avoise walking route than a destination in its own right. Seeing it from outside takes about 10 minutes. During the tourist season, the Office de Tourisme Pays de Sablé-sur-Sarthe runs guided tours of the commune's heritage sites, including the Vieille Tour; it's worth calling ahead to check dates (tel. 02 43 95 00 60). The site is wheelchair accessible.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Avoise has a long history — archaeological digs in the 1970s uncovered the remains of a Gallo-Roman villa here. Beyond the Vieille Tour, it's worth stopping at the neighbouring Saint-Sulpice church and at the Château de Dobert, tucked into a bend of the Vègre river, where the same family has lived for more than five centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the tower? No — the Vieille Tour is viewed from the outside. Interior access is only possible during the seasonal guided tours run by the local tourist office.

Why is it called the "Salt Tower"? The tower served as a lookout point over salt cargo shipped down the Sarthe from Le Mans — hence the nickname "Tour à Sel."

Why does it look different from old photographs? In the 1960s, the municipality had the upper part of the tower, including its original pyramidal roof, lowered for structural safety reasons.

How long does a visit take? Walking around the exterior takes about 10 minutes — a short, worthwhile stop while exploring Avoise.