Tour de l'horloge de Draguignan, Historical clock tower in central Draguignan, France.
The Tour de l'horloge de Draguignan is an 18-metre tower on a square base with a ground floor and two upper floors, the top one carrying a turret at each corner; its wrought-iron campanile brings the total to 24 metres. The iron campanile was made in 1723 by a Bargemon blacksmith, and the theatre de verdure lies at the tower's foot.
A tower housing the town's first public clock was erected on the hill in 1413. In 1509 it was raised by 2 metres using stones from the demolished Tour Madame. The tower was destroyed from 29 August 1659 after the Sabreurs–Canivets conflict; Louis XIV authorised its rebuilding by letters patent, and in June 1661 the council contracted Guillaume Mouretti to reconstruct it.
The name simply means "clock tower", after the public clock installed on the hill since 1413; the present tower replaced an earlier one demolished in 1659. Its wrought-iron campanile, made in 1723 by a Bargemon blacksmith paid 15 livres per quintal of iron, holds the 1569 bell of 600 kg plus a smaller 100 kg bell. At its foot, the théâtre de verdure hosts summer shows.
The tower is located in the city center and is easily reached on foot. Access to the interior is limited and available only during warm months.
The original bell from 1569 still hangs within the bell chamber. This bronze piece weighs approximately 600 kilograms and has been supported by a dedicated structure since 1723.
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