Horloge de la Palud, animated clock in Lausanne, Switzerland
The Horloge de la Palud is an animated clock set behind a wire mesh screen on the first floor of a building on Place de la Palud. It features five painted metal figures in a row on a dark ledge, with a draped bell-like form above and a light grey balcony rail below.
The clock was built for the Swiss National Exhibition in 1964 and renovated in 2005. It has been telling the story of Vaud through three historic scenes for decades.
The figures wear traditional Vaud costumes, and the show is narrated by the voice of the cathedral watchman. On market days, a small crowd often gathers on the fountain steps to watch.
The clock is in a pedestrian area, so you can walk right up to it. It animates every day between 9 am and 7 pm, so time your visit to catch the show.
The clock features the voice of Pierre Walker, a comedian and radio man, as the cathedral watchman. The watchman ends each show with a farewell, promising to meet you again in an hour.
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