[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

Histoire de Paris

La tour de Nesle
Premier élément de l’enceinte de Philippe-Auguste sur la rive gauche, la tour Philippe Hamelin, édifiée vers 1200, porte d’abord le nom du prévôt qui préside à sa construction. Elle fait ensuite partie du puissant ensemble fortifié de l’hôtel de Nesle, bâti vers 1270 sur le clos de Laas et acquis par Philippe le Bel en 1308. La légende garde le souvenir du martyre des trois princesses de Bourgogne, Marquerite, Blanche et Jeanne, épouses des futurs rois Louis X, Philippe V et Charies IV, accusées par leur belle-sœur Isabelle de France d’y recevoir Gaultier et Philippe d’Aulnay, aussitôt torturés et décapités. La "bonne reine Jeanne" reste vivante dans les mémoires grâce à Villon: "Mais où sont les neiges d’antan ?"

[illustration of the Tower]

One of the series of signs describing historical places in Paris. The signs were placed starting in 1992 and are also called sucettes Starck (Starck’s Lollipops) after Philippe Starck who designed them.

The sign depicts the Nesle Tower, one of the watchtowers that were on the old Paris wall that was built during the time of King Philippe Auguste.

The place where the minaret was, and where the sign is located, was photographed on the same day Click for a larger image

The illustration in the center of the sign is shown here at magnification Click for a larger image

The legend mentioned on the sign talks about the ballad written by François Villon (a poet and criminal who wrote while in prison): Ballade des dames du temps jadis (Ballad of the ladies of the past)

Translation of the text on the sign:

[An illustration of a ship, symbolizing the symbol of Paris]

History of Paris

The Nesle Tower
The first element of the Philippe-Auguste enclosure on the left bank, the Philippe Hamelin tower, built around 1200, first bore the name of the provost who presided over its construction. It then forms part of the powerful fortified ensemble of the Hôtel de Nesle, built around 1270 on the Clos de Laas and acquired by Philippe le Bel in 1308. Legend keeps the memory of the martyrdom of the three princesses of Burgundy, Marquerite, Blanche and Jeanne , wives of the future kings Louis The “good Queen Jeanne” remains alive in memories thanks to Villon: “But where are the snows of yesteryear?”

[illustration of the Tower]