Besançon · Doubs
Besançon Cathedral and Astronomical Clock
French name: Cathédrale de Besançon et son horloge astronomique
The astronomical clock mechanism is halted pending restoration; the monument stays open.
1st Sunday, low seasonSpecial days onlyFree under 26
Free admission
- 1st Sunday, low seasonFree on the first Sunday of every month, from November to February
- Free under 26Free every day for under-26 EU residents
- Special days onlyFree during the European Heritage DaysBooking required — Book a free ticket
Address
rue du chapitre, 25000 Besançon
Besançon's Saint-Jean Cathedral, whose astronomical clock was built between 1857 and 1860 by clockmaker Auguste-Lucien Vérité. Its roughly 30,000 parts drive 122 dials and automatons displaying hours, tides, eclipses and religious feast days from around the world.