Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Western Gate, also known as the Door of the Clock or Beffroi, is an ancient medieval town gate located in Charroux, in the Allier department. It marked the western end of the main street and was one of the four gates of the inner enclosure of the city. Built in the 13th century, it takes the form of a square tower, initially crenellated, and then covered with a roof of four-paned tiles. An octagonal bell tower, similar to that of the local church, the surmonte, while an arch in the middle of the hangar allows passage under the door.

In the 16th century, the western gate lost its defensive function to become a belfry, symbol of communal freedoms. It is then equipped with a bell tower and clock, installed above a small monitoring window located under the roof. This monument, a witness to the urban history of Charroux, has been listed as historical monuments since December 9, 1929. It illustrates the architectural and functional evolution of city gates, moving from defence to a civic and symbolic role.

Charroux, once a closed town of Bourbonnais, kept two of its medieval gates: the Western Gate and the Eastern Gate. These remains recall the strategic importance of the walls for the cities in the Middle Ages, protecting the inhabitants and controlling access. The western gate, now owned by the municipality, remains a key element of the local heritage, reflecting both the military heritage and the affirmation of urban freedoms from the Renaissance.

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