Gros Horloge, Renaissance clock tower in Rouen, France
The Gros Horloge features two identical clock faces measuring 2.5 meters in diameter, displaying astronomical symbols and a single golden hand indicating time.
The clock mechanism, dating from 1389, represents one of the oldest operating timekeeping devices in Europe, initially constructed by Jourdain del Leche.
Each day of the week appears in the clock's base openings through specific celestial representations, reflecting medieval astronomical understanding and timekeeping traditions.
Visitors can access the tower through guided tours lasting 40 minutes, including exploration of the belfry and the clockmaster's former workshop.
The clock's mechanism, made of wrought iron, exceeds twice the size of the Wells Cathedral clock, positioning it among the largest historical mechanical clocks.
Location: Rouen
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture
Address: Rue du Gros Horloge, 76000 Rouen, France
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 14:00-18:00
Phone: +33232080190
Website: http://rouen.fr/gros-horloge
GPS coordinates: 49.44154,1.09124
Latest update: September 1, 2025 10:18
Rouen offers a rich architectural heritage with buildings spanning medieval, Renaissance, and modern periods. The Notre-Dame Cathedral, a Gothic structure from the 13th century, rises above the historic center. The old town is filled with narrow streets lined by timber houses with carved beams and colored facades. The Gros Horloge, a 14th-century astronomical clock tower, spans a busy shopping street and connects medieval architecture to the daily life of the city. The Place du Vieux-Marché marks the site where Joan of Arc was executed. Today, a modern church with curved forms and colorful stained glass stands there. The Rue du Gros-Horloge and Rue Saint-Romain lead through the old quarter with its shops and cafés. The Church of Saint-Maclou displays Gothic detailing, while the Aître Saint-Maclou, a former plague cemetery, is now a quiet courtyard with wooden galleries. The Jardin des Plantes offers wide green spaces and greenhouses on the edge of the city. From the Côte Sainte-Catherine on the other side of the Seine, there are wide views over the rooftops and church spires of the city.
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