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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The belfry of Boulogne-sur-Mer comes from a dungeon erected in the 12th century for the first Comtal castle of the city, under the impulse of Renaud de Dammartin, Count of Boulogne from 1191 to 1214. This powerful lord, often in conflict with King Philippe Auguste, had this tower built as a central element of a fortified whole, probably supplemented by wooden buildings now missing. The dungeon, which became useless after the transfer of the Comtal castle to another site under Philippe Hurepel, was ceded to the bourgeois of the upper city, who made it their belfry, symbol of their autonomy.

In 1268, the belfry was partially destroyed by Louis IX after the bourgeois refused to finance a crusade, marking the temporary abolition of communal privileges. Reconstructed in 1269, it was equipped with a floor to house the bells, a symbol of social life and urban freedoms. Its architecture continued to evolve in the 18th century, when engineer Martinet replaced the medieval arrow, destroyed by a fire in 1712, with a characteristic octagonal floor. This monument, the only one spared during the bombings of the Second World War, today embodies the resilience and identity of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The belfry performed essential functions for the commune: it housed the bell rhythmizing daily life, protected official documents such as the Charter and the seal, and materialized the echevinal power against the seigneurial and religious authorities. Despite his impressive appearance, he actually reflected a limited communal power, as evidenced by the episode of 1268. Ranked a historic monument in 1926 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005 with other belfries of the Hauts-de-France, it remains an emblem of medieval architectural and political heritage.

Future

Since 2005, the belfry has been part of the world heritage of humanity, along with other belfries in the region.

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