TOUR DE L’HORLOGE
A 49-meter high tower that dominates the old city center and used to house the precious clocks of the Avallonnais.
Overhung by a 15th century tower, 49 m high and topped by a slate campanile, this majestic gate dominates the old center of the city. It marks the entrance to the ancient Roman castrum, the remains of which can be seen in the Avallonnais museum. To reach the Saint-Lazare collegiate church, you will necessarily pass under the monument, coming from the shopping street that the clock tower dominates and closes. Symbol of Avallon, it dates back to 1455 when the inhabitants of Avallon decided to erect it to house their precious clock at a time when public clocks were not common. It was also used to monitor the arrival of potential enemies, or to alert the inhabitants in case of fire. It is located at the exact location of the main gate of the castle enclosure of the time. On open days, visitors can access its three floors via a spiral staircase. The tower bears the city's coat of arms and its motto: Esto Nobis Domine Turris Fortitudinis ("Be for us, Lord, a tower of courage"). It should also be noted that the tower was successively occupied by the Avallon city councillors and by the city's study society. At its foot, the tourist office welcomes tourists today. In short, this is a place not to be missed here. Classified as a historical monument, the clock tower is a beautiful testimony to the history of Avallon. The association Avallon Patrimoine en Bourgogne watches over it since 2017.
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