Place de l’Hôtel de Ville

The Town Hall square, in Compiègne

The Town Hall square is the heart of Compiègne, dominated by the magnificent Gothic town hall and the statue of Joan of Arc. The Compiègne audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic place, one of the finest ensembles of the town.

The Gothic town hall and the jacquemart

On the Town Hall square, you are surrounded by the statue of Joan of Arc brandishing her flag and by what is perhaps the finest building of the town: the town hall of Compiègne. Its construction began in the 1500s, at the end of the Middle Ages, and it deploys a superb façade of flamboyant Gothic style, richly adorned with sculptures, pinnacles and statues, including that of King Louis XII on horseback. Its belfry, listed as world heritage within the belfries of Belgium and France, is one of the oldest of the region. It is animated by a famous jacquemart: three mechanical figures nicknamed the Picantins, who strike the bells to sound the hours, to the great joy of the passers-by. In front of the building, the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc recalls the strong link of the town with the heroine, who was captured there. A historic heart and an architectural jewel, the Town Hall square is a must-see stop of Compiègne.

What to see

You admire the magnificent town hall of flamboyant Gothic style built from the 1500s, with a façade adorned with sculptures and the statue of Louis XII on horseback, its belfry listed as world heritage animated by the famous jacquemart of the Picantins who sound the hours, and the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc, captured in the town. The Town Hall square is the historic heart of Compiègne. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Town Hall square lies in the heart of Compiègne, reachable on foot. It is a freely accessible public space; you admire the town hall, the belfry and the statue of Joan of Arc from the square. The jacquemart sounds the hours throughout the day.

What is the jacquemart of the town hall of Compiègne?

Three mechanical figures nicknamed the Picantins, who strike the bells of the belfry to sound the hours; the belfry, listed as world heritage, crowns the flamboyant Gothic town hall built from the 1500s, in front of which stands the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc.

Where is the Town Hall square of Compiègne?

In the heart of Compiègne, in the Oise, in France.