Tour de l'Horloge, Medieval clock tower at Palais de la Cité, France
Description
The Tour de l'Horloge is a tower with thick stone walls and a square dial decorated with golden rays on an azure background. It rises prominently over the Palais de la Cité and serves as a defining feature of this historic complex.
History
The tower was built between 1350 and 1353 under King Jean II le Bon and received Paris's first public clock in 1370 by watchmaker Henri de Vic. This timepiece transformed the location into a center for measuring time across the city.
Culture
The clock face displays Latin inscriptions referencing the crowns of kings and philosophical statements about justice. These texts reflect how rulers viewed the tower's role in their realm.
Practical
The tower is easily accessible by Metro Line 4 at Cité station or by several bus lines serving the Palais de la Cité area. Visitors should note that the location sits in a busy historic zone and can become quite crowded on weekends.
Did you know?
The clock mechanism features bronzed copper hands with detailed designs that move against a background maintaining its medieval characteristics through the centuries. These details are often overlooked but reveal the craftsmanship invested in the original construction.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (1st arrondissement of Paris).
Sainte Chapelle
94 m
Île de la Cité
204 m
Conciergerie
31 m
36, quai des Orfèvres
152 m
Palais de Justice, Paris
62 m
Tribunal de commerce
86 m
Théâtre du Châtelet
194 m
Pont au Change
102 m
Théâtre de la Ville
215 m
Quai des Orfèvres
206 m
Pont Notre-Dame
216 m
Charles V clock
42 m
Fontaine du Palmier
196 m
Tribunal de commerce de Paris
95 m
Quai de l'Horloge
128 m
Parc Rives de Seine
217 m
Quai de la Mégisserie
217 m
Quai de la Corse
162 m
Wallace fountains on place Louis-Lépine
157 m
Cuartel de la Prefectura de Policía de París
214 m
Pont Notre-Dame
215 m
Building of the Court of Cassation
115 m
23 quai de l'Horloge, Paris
211 m
2-6, place Dauphine
211 m
Fountain
139 m
19 quai de l'Horloge - 2 rue de Harlay, Paris
197 m
21 quai de l'Horloge, Paris
203 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes