Bayeux in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Le tour des Augustines - rénové en septembre 2019
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Augustinian Tower - renovated in September 2019
Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2026
1. Le tour des Augustines - rénové en septembre 2019 / Augustinian Tower - renovated in September 2019
Le tour des Augustines - rénové en septembre 2019
Ce passage aujourd'hui public, se situe au cœur de l'enceinte de l'ancien couvent des Augustines hospitalières de Bayeux, en charge de l'administration de l'Hôtel-Dieu de 1644 à 1792. Autrefois clos par un imposant portail, il formait une cour intérieure donnant accès aux communs de la communauté (blanchisserie, grange, cellier...).
Faisant face aux écuries, la façade du bâtiment principal conserve un aménagement caractéristique des maisons conventuelles : un « tour » permettant aux religieuses d'échanger avec le monde extérieur tout en respectant la clôture. Contrôlé de l'intérieur par la sœur « tourière » et principalement destiné à l'échange de marchandises, il permettait probablement dans certaines occasions, de pourvoir à des actions de charité.
À tort, certains voudraient y voir un tour d'abandon des nourrissons. Ce serait en effet méconnaître la vocation de l'Hôtel-Dieu entièrement voué au soin des malades, l'accueil des orphelins et des indigents étant la pleine vocation de l'Hôpital général, fondé dès 1676 à quelques pas seulement, rue Saint-Exupère.
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This public passage is located in the heart of the former convent of the Augustinian hospitallers of Bayeux, in charge of the administration of the Hôtel-Dieu from 1644 to 1792. Once enclosed by an imposing portal, it formed an inner courtyard giving access to the communal areas of the community (laundry, barn, cellar...).
Facing the stables, the façade of the main building retains a characteristic layout of the conventual houses: a "tower" allowing the nuns to exchange with the outside world while respecting the fence. Controlled from the inside by the sister "tourière" and mainly intended for the exchange of goods, it probably allowed on certain occasions, to provide for charitable actions.
Wrongly, some would like to see it as a baby-leaving tower. In fact, it would be to ignore the vocation of the Hôtel-Dieu, entirely devoted to the care of the sick, the reception of the orphans and the needy being the full vocation
Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2026
2. Le tour des Augustines - rénové en septembre 2019 / Augustinian Tower - renovated in September 2019
This project was made possible thanks to the support of the Association for the Protection of the Augustinian Chapel and based on an idea of the Council of Sages of Bayeux.
Erected by Bayeux and Association for the Preservation of the Augustinian Chapel.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical month for this entry is September 2019.
Location. 49° 16.495′ N, 0° 42.032′ W. Marker is in Bayeux, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is on Allée des Augustines just north of Rue de Nesmond, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 All des Augustines, Bayeux, Normandie 14400, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At
Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2026
3. Le tour des Augustines - rénové en septembre 2019 / Augustinian Tower - renovated in September 2019
Photographed by James Hulse, August 4, 2026
4. Le tour des Augustines - rénové en septembre 2019 / Augustinian Tower - renovated in September 2019
Water pump and basin next to the marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
