Medieval tower

The historic heart of Empurany is a medieval fortified site featuring a square tower at its center and Saint Michael’s Church. The earliest recorded mention of the fort and its church dates back to the late 13th century.

The medieval tower was completely restored in 2025 and now houses several exhibition spaces, one dedicated to sacred art and another highlighting the major milestones in the history of the municipality. The historical exhibition also showcases a 17th-century trompe-l'œil painted decoration, as well as 18th-century ceramics whose fragments were uncovered during archaeological excavations carried out between 2023 and 2025.

The restoration of the tower also made it possible to create a discovery trail dedicated to medieval plants, both inside and outside the building. An ancient basin uncovered during the archaeological excavations has been incorporated into the flowerbeds, helping to preserve the tradition of water within this enclosed garden.

Saint Michael’s Church combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. It contains fourteen stained-glass windows, most of which were created by the renowned master glassmaker Charles Borie of Le Puy-en-Velay, who is also responsible for the famous Verveine du Velay dome in Le Puy-en-Velay.