The Belfry of Beaune

The belfry of Beaune

The Beaune audio-guided tour makes you look up at the belfry, one of the most recognisable silhouettes of the town. Its tall tower topped with a spire dominates the roofs of the historic centre since the Middle Ages.

The symbol of municipal power

The belfry, also known as the Clock Tower, was built in the 13th and 14th centuries, at a time when Beaune was a prosperous, trading city, keen to assert its municipal authority. This is the traditional role of a belfry: to mark the independence of the town, to house the civic bells and to symbolise the power of the echevins, the former representatives of the commune, in the face of seigneurial or religious authority.

What there is to see

The belfry, an essential landmark of the centre, stands out against the roofs of Beaune and recalls the wealth of the town in the time of the Dukes of Burgundy. Its tower, its clock and its spire can be admired during the walk, from the nearby Place Monge. The building may be subject to temporary closures.

Practical information

The belfry is near Place Monge, in the historic centre of Beaune. Its silhouette can be seen freely from the surrounding streets. Visits to the tower may be suspended for conservation reasons; it is best to check locally or with the tourist office before planning a climb.

What was the belfry of Beaune for ?

It symbolised the independence and municipal power of the town, housing the civic bells in the time of the echevins.

How old is the belfry ?

It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries, when Beaune was a prosperous trading city.