Jacquemart tower, Clock tower in Moulins, France

The Jacquemart Tower in Moulins is a rectangular structure built from red and yellow sandstone blocks rising about 31 meters tall with an eight-sided lantern crowning its top. A working well sits inside the tower alongside a spiral staircase that connects different levels and reaches the upper observation platform.

The present tower was built between 1452 and 1455, funded by a special tax levied by Jean II de Bourbon, and was crowned with a slate spire from Orléans. A fire in November 1655 destroyed the market halls and left only the stone shell; reconstruction from 1656 kept the lower base. It has been a classified monument historique since 1929.

The four mechanical wooden figures that operate within this structure strike the bells throughout the day and have become central to how locals experience time passing through the town. These figures connect the building to the rhythm of daily life in Moulins.

The tower operates with limited hours and requires a guide to enter, so visitors should check availability in advance. The spiral staircase requires climbing and the interior ascent may be difficult for people with mobility limitations.

The mechanical figures were carved from oak and chestnut wood and remain highly detailed in their craft, showing the skill of medieval artisans. These wooden figures have undergone numerous repairs over the centuries yet continue to operate as originally designed.