Place de l'Horloge, Central square with pedestrian streets in Avignon, France.
Place de l'Horloge is a square in Avignon with a half-moon layout centered on a clock tower, framed by plane trees and nineteenth-century structures. The City Hall stands within this setting, and the space connects directly to the Opera du Grand Avignon theater.
The location sits atop a Roman forum from ancient times. It later served as a butcher's market during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
The square becomes a gathering point for theater companies and performers during the Festival d'Avignon each July. Artists transform the space into an open-air stage throughout the day.
The square offers many restaurants with outdoor seating and a children's carousel for breaks while exploring. Its direct connection to the opera house makes it easy to combine visits or attend performances nearby.
The tower's clock is operated by Jacquemarts, mechanical figures that have controlled the bell-striking since the fifteenth century. These automated figures represent a rare example of medieval engineering still in working order.
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