Built Middle Ages Phone +33 2 32 08 01 90 | Reference no. PA00100834 | |
 | ||
Location Rouen, Rouen Metropolis, Normandy, France Designated 1862 (Great-Clock), 1889 (Fountain) Address Rue du Gros Horloge, 76000 Rouen, France Hours Closed now Friday2–5PMSaturday2–5PMSunday2–5PMMondayClosedTuesday2–5PMWednesday2–5PMThursday2–5PM Architectural styles Gothic architecture, Flamboyant, Classical architecture Similar Church of St Joan of Arc, Historial Jeanne d’Arc, Rouen Cathedral, Panorama XXL, Musée des Beaux‑Arts de Rouen | ||
Gros horloge a medieval clock rouen
The Great-Clock (French: Gros-Horloge) is a fourteenth-century astronomical clock in Rouen, Normandy.
Contents
History and description
The clock is installed in a Renaissance arch crossing the Rue du Gros-Horloge, in Rouen. The mechanism is one of the oldest in France, the movement was made in 1389. Construction of the clock was started by Jourdain del Leche who lacked the necessary expertise to finish the task, so the work was completed by Jean de Felain, who became the first to hold the position of governor of the clock. The clock was originally constructed without a dial, with one revolution of the hour-hand representing twenty-four hours. The movement is cast in wrought iron, and at approximately twice the size of the Wells Cathedral clock, it is perhaps the largest such mechanism still extant. A facade was added in 1529 when the clock was moved to its current position. The Renaissance facade represents a golden sun with 24 rays on a starry blue background. The dial measures 2.5 metres in diameter.
The phases of the moon are shown in the oculus of the upper part of the dial. It completes a full rotation in 29 days. The week days are shown in an opening at the base of the dial with allegorical subjects for each day of the week.
The mechanism was electrified in the 1920s and it was restored in 1997.
The Gros Horolge has featured in paintings by J. M. W. Turner and the French impressionist Léon-Jules Lemaître.