Time museum

The Time Museum houses an extensive collection of timepieces, precision instruments, and chronometers spread across three floors of the Renaissance Granvelle Palace in Besançon. The displays trace the development of timekeeping and showcase the technical achievements in this craft across centuries.

The museum occupies the Renaissance Granvelle Palace, a building with its own significant past in Besançon. The collection traces how the city became a major center for watchmaking and timekeeping technology from the 16th century onward.

The museum reflects Besançon's importance as a center for French watchmaking and technical learning during industrialization. Visitors see how the city shaped the craft and knowledge that spread across the country.

The museum is located in central Besançon and is easily accessible on foot. Plan to spend at least one to two hours exploring the collection across the three levels.

A Foucault pendulum hangs near the palace tower, demonstrating Earth's rotation through its continuous swinging motion. This physical experiment reveals a fundamental natural phenomenon that has intrigued visitors for generations.

Location: Besançon

Official opening: 2002

Address: 96 Grande Rue, 25000 Besançon, France

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 14:00-18:00; Saturday-Sunday 10:00-18:00

Phone: +33381878161

Website: http://mdt.besancon.fr

GPS coordinates: 47.23584,6.02691

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:42