Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Tower of the Clock of Lons-le-Saunier, also known as the Tower of the Clock of Lons-le-Saunier, finds its origins in the 15th century as a fortified gate of the city's ramparts, called the "clock gate". It controlled access to the Grande Rue (present-day Rue du Commerce), a shopping street protected by 146 arcades. This entry point symbolized the defence of Lons-le-Saunier, then fortified city in Franche-Comté.

In 1678, after Franche-Comté joined France (the consequence of the Dutch War and the Treaty of Nijmegen), the guard tower was replaced by a four-storey belfry. Featuring a clock with Roman numeral dials, this new building marks the integration of the region into the kingdom. However, less than a century later, in 1758, the belfry threatened ruin and was rebuilt on its current location, 10 Place de la Liberté, using the dials of 1740.

The current bell, melted in Lons-le-Saunier in 1810, probably replaces an older model. The monument, rectangular, combines a shop on the ground floor, a dwelling floor, and the levels dedicated to the clock and the belfry. Its sober architecture, highlighted by a bandeau under the top floor, integrates into the urban fabric while overlooking nearby houses. Ranked a historic monument in 1999, it reflects the evolution of the city from the Middle Ages to the modern era.

The tower also illustrates the urban transformations of Lons-le-Saunier: demolition of the ramparts, opening of the city, and adaptation of public buildings. His clock, visible from the square, rhythmized daily life (markets, religious offices, alerts), while the belfry embodied municipal power. Today owned by the municipality, it remains a symbol of local heritage.

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