Florentine tower of Buire

The Florentine tower is a signal structure built around 1920 for the Northern Railway and distinguished by its Art Deco facade. This six-story reinforced concrete building combines functional spaces such as storage, workshops, and sanitation facilities with decorative brick elements.

Engineer Raoul Dautry and architect Gustave Umbdenstock designed the building in 1920 as a signal station for the Northern Railway. After the Second World War the structure was taken out of service and has not functioned for railway operations since.

The name refers to Florence and its artistic heritage, a connection visible in the decorative details that set it apart from other regional towers. This choice reflected how railway companies of the time valued both function and aesthetic appeal.

The tower stands in Buire, a small town in northern France, and is easily visible from the street. Visitors can view the building from outside, but the interior is not open to the public.

Four large clock faces at the summit are oriented toward each cardinal direction and define the skyline of Buire. Though the building has not served railway functions for decades, these timepieces remain a striking visual feature of the structure.

Location: Buire

Inception: 1921

Architectural style: Art Deco

Floors above the ground: 6

GPS coordinates: 49.91060,4.07331

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:28