GROS HORLOGE, Rouen

Next to the arch of the Gros Horloge, and probably frequently overlooked, is this fountain, built in 1733 in the reign of Louis XV, with a sculpture depicting the love between the river god Alpheus and the nymph Arethusa.

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Rouen is famous for the astronomical clock known as the “Gros Horloge”. On a Renaissance arch which has spanned the historic street since 1527, the Gros Horloge itself dates back to the 16th century and its movement from 1389. A gothic belfry built between the 14th and the 15th centuries houses the bells linked to the clock’s movement. The two facades of the clock display 24 rays of sun against a blue starred sky and a single hand ending with a depiction of a lamb shows the hour (there has never been a minute hand, but the days of the week are indicated at the base of the dial!).

The picturesque cobbled street is bordered with charming half-timbered buildings, some of which are dated to before the time of Joan of Arc’s death at the stake in 1431. The underside of the arch is worth a look for the carving of the Good Shepherd (Pastor Bonus).

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Le Gros-Horloge is the landmark of Rouen. It sits astride the rue of the same name over an arch that supports the clock and a backing room. The clock has two faces (East & West) visible from the street. It was moved to this site in 1527 from an adjacent bell-tower to the South(which houses the mechanism) in order to provide universal information. It has never had a minute hand. A globe above the face provides the phase of the moon and a recess below the “6” pictorially shows the day of the week. Admission (fee) to the belfry shows the mechanism, the clock history and provides a view over the city. The street is a cobble-stoned walking street with many half-timbered houses and shops. It runs from the Vieux Marche to the Cathedral. A large medallion of the "Good Shepherd" is carved under the arch.

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One of the most important streets in Rouen leads from the Catehdral Square to the Vieux Marche. This street is called "Rue du Gros-Horloge" or translated "Street of the large watch (clock). This item within the street can't be missed and is well worth a closer look. The city clock was constructed between 1389 and 1398 by Jehan de Bayeux. Especially in regard to the times that it was made, it is a true work of art, that tell the time to today in a relatively accurate way. Also the building that it is built in and hangs over the street, has many beautiful decorations in stone attached.

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This amazing monument is composed of a gothic belfry, a pavilion, a Renaissance vault and a classic style fountain. The bell tower was built when the town was granted the status of city with the right to ring its own bells. The mechanism is still one of the oldest in Europe. The outside offers a beautiful sight of the sculptured archway a Renaissance masterpiece with restored dials.

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The Gros Horloge is a Medieval clock which became the mascot for the Rouennais.
It was built in the 14th century and it has got an only hand that marks the time, while the days of the week appear under the number IV. Above the clock a globe points out the phase of the moon.
Near the Gros Horloge there is a tower bell from which you can have a nice view of the town.

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Rue du Gros Horloge is one of the best streets of Rouen. It was the most important one during the Middle Ages and along there you can see very nice maisons a colombage (half-timbered houses) like the old town hall. In the middle of the street there is the Gros Horloge.

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Walk from the cahtedral to the shopping area in the old centre. There is also a lovely clock in the town, which you then pass, it is mounted above a port in a narrow street. It was put there in 1527, but is actually older as it first hung on the clock tower.

This clock was extremely pretty, but I must say it is easy to miss, as it is hidden away between two buildings!!

I managed to walk past it and not see it!!

I recommend seeing it, as the detail on it is quite something!

This Renaissance clock tower was built in the late 1300s and the clock itself still works! A single hour-hand shows the time.

This area is one of Rouen's best opportunities for people-watching.

Nearby are plenty of shops and cafes, and sites related to Jeanne d'Arc.