Visit the Gros Horloge
In the city of Rouen, located in Seine-Maritime, stands an iconic structure known to every local: the Gros Horloge. Residents pass under its sweeping arch daily, whether to admire the clock face hovering above or to explore the museum housed within its walls.
History
During the 14th century, a popular uprising known as the révolte des Harelle broke out in Rouen. While the rebellion was suppressed within months, the city belfry was destroyed and authorities forbade the construction of a new one. Under the pretense of building a clock tower, residents constructed a replacement that was completed in 1398. To maintain the ruse, the tower housed the clock mechanism and bells from the start. It remains one of the oldest clock movements in France, as the mechanism was crafted in 1389, the same year the clock was installed.
The clock face visible today is the result of a later restoration dating to the Renaissance. This is an astrological clock, meaning it tracks more than just the hour. It also displays the phases of the Moon. An opening in the dial reveals a day-of-the-week indicator decorated with allegorical figures.
Since 1920, the system has been powered by electricity, though the original mechanism remains in perfect working order. The city added architectural lighting to the building in 2003, and it reopened to the public in 2006.
The Gros Horloge
The Gros Horloge museum invites visitors into what was once the clockmaker's workshop, where artisans were tasked with maintaining the machine. You will also see the bells and the weights, and you can visit the dome. Additional rooms are dedicated to the history of Rouen. At the end of the visit, a stop on the observation deck provides a prime panorama of the city rooftops. The site has international reach, as a representation of it can even be found in a medallion on the Church of Our Lady of Lebanon in New York.
You can't miss it when you're walking down the street, whether you're just strolling or not. This magnificent astronomical clock is truly a jewel in the center of Rouen, a little bit of magic in the heart of the cobblestone streets. To learn more, the museum tour is not to be missed!