Tour de l'horloge de Beaune, Medieval clock tower in Beaune, France
The structure rises from a square base with 13th-century stone walls, Gothic windows, and multiple levels including a vaulted cellar and five separate floors that house the medieval clock mechanism.
Constructed in the late 1390s, the structure received its clock mechanism in 1397 through funds from the salt tax authorized by Duke Philip the Bold, while the first bells were installed in 1407.
For over five centuries, the tower's bells rang out during important community gatherings, providing merchants at the nearby market square with a reliable time reference for their business transactions.
Visitors can view the structure from street level, as interior access is limited. Best viewing angles are from the nearby Place Carnot, particularly during morning hours when natural light illuminates the facade.
After dark, specialized video projections transform the exterior walls into an illuminated presentation that highlights architectural details less visible during daylight hours.
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