Tour du Masque (Mask Tower), Cannes
The Man in the Iron Mask was a prisoner during King Louis XIV region. He was confined to various French prisons--including the infamous Bastille. The man wore a black velvet mask covering his face, and his identity has never been discovered.
It is unknown when the man was born. He was arrested around 1670 and died in 1703.
The Man in the Iron Mask escaped from Sainte-Marguerite Island and found sanctuary in this 12th century "Mask Tower" for the last years of his life. The story was made famous by writers Alexandre Dumas and Voltaire. In Voltaire's retelling, the man wore an iron mask. Historical records show that the man wore a velvet mask, but Voltaire's version has proved popular.
Historians have many guesses over the man's identity, but none of these theories have been definitively proven. Some stories claim that the man was a relative of the King--an older brother, a twin, or his illegitimate father.
Documents from the man's jailer, Saint-Mars, were discovered in 2015. A leading theory supposes that the man was Eustache Dauge, who was involved in political scandals.
One legend says that the unnamed man's host haunts the tower. Whether or not this is true, the legends and speculations concerning the man's identity continue.
Today, a plaque on the 12th-century tower and a nearby dummy mark the location. The plaque reads, "Passer-by, stop to meditate on the sufferings of this torture."
It is unknown when the man was born. He was arrested around 1670 and died in 1703.
The Man in the Iron Mask escaped from Sainte-Marguerite Island and found sanctuary in this 12th century "Mask Tower" for the last years of his life. The story was made famous by writers Alexandre Dumas and Voltaire. In Voltaire's retelling, the man wore an iron mask. Historical records show that the man wore a velvet mask, but Voltaire's version has proved popular.
Historians have many guesses over the man's identity, but none of these theories have been definitively proven. Some stories claim that the man was a relative of the King--an older brother, a twin, or his illegitimate father.
Documents from the man's jailer, Saint-Mars, were discovered in 2015. A leading theory supposes that the man was Eustache Dauge, who was involved in political scandals.
One legend says that the unnamed man's host haunts the tower. Whether or not this is true, the legends and speculations concerning the man's identity continue.
Today, a plaque on the 12th-century tower and a nearby dummy mark the location. The plaque reads, "Passer-by, stop to meditate on the sufferings of this torture."
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Tour du Masque (Mask Tower) on Map
Sight Name: Tour du Masque (Mask Tower)
Sight Location: Cannes, France (See walking tours in Cannes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cannes, France (See walking tours in Cannes)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cannes, France
Create Your Own Walk in Cannes
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cannes is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cannes Old Town Walking Tour
Initially a Roman camp, Le Suquet is Cannes' Old Town quarter and the original site of the city. With its medieval buildings and a castle on top of the hill, it offers an incredible contrast to the glamour of Croisette Boulevard.
One of the central attractions in Cannes Old Town is the Old Port (Vieux Port). This picturesque harbor is lined with colorful fishing boats and yachts, creating... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
One of the central attractions in Cannes Old Town is the Old Port (Vieux Port). This picturesque harbor is lined with colorful fishing boats and yachts, creating... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
Cannes Introduction Walking Tour
Cannes is a sparkling resort city on the enduringly fabulous French Riveria. First, Ligurians occupied Cannes, then Phocaeans, Celts, and Romans. By the fourth century, L茅rins monks settled the area. Napoleon camped here after his return from Elba. Lord Brougham built a villa here and popularized Cannes as an international resort destination in the 19th century. Today, the area is known for... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles