🧱 **Tour aux Puces** – Thionville's Oldest Building**
The **Tour aux Puces** ("Powder Tower") is a medieval fortified tower dating back to the 11th century – and the oldest surviving building in the city. Originally part of a castle complex, it has served over time as a defense tower, a prison, and now houses a **City Museum** with an archaeological collection.
🏺 Inside, you'll find exhibits from Roman, medieval, and early modern periods – from ceramics to weapons to religious objects. The tower probably got its name from a mistranslation from German to French (“Powder Tower” became “Powder Tower”).
**Tip:** The tower is cool and quiet – perfect on hot days. From the top, you have a small but excellent view over the old town. Combine it with the Belfry and the Église Saint-Maximin for a historical tour.