Le Grand Marionnettiste, Monumental clock at International Puppet Institute in Charleville-Mézières, France
The 10-meter brass automaton displays mechanical movements through twelve tableaux on the building facade, telling stories with rotating parts and figures.
Jacques Monestier engineered this mechanical clock in 1991, incorporating local industrial expertise and support from 738 donors for its construction.
The clock presents the medieval tale of the Four Sons of Aymon through mechanical puppet performances, connecting regional folklore with modern engineering.
Between 10 AM and 9 PM, visitors gather hourly to watch the automated performances, with a complete presentation of all scenes on Saturdays at 9:15 PM.
The structure contains pneumatic actuators and cam programmers that control a 5-ton mechanism, moving 100-kilogram settings along internal roller systems.
Location: Charleville-Mézières
Creator: Jacques Monestier
Height: 10 m
Address: 1 Place Winston Churchill 08000
Website: https://charleville-mezieres.fr/directory/entry/le-grand-marionnettiste
GPS coordinates: 49.77248,4.72164
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:53
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