Horloge Astronomique

Classified as a Historic Monument in 1991, the astronomical clock of the Saint-Jean de Besançon cathedral was designed and built by the clockmaker Auguste Lucien Vérité between 1858 and 1860 at the request of Cardinal Matthieu.
Installed in a room in the lower parts of the bell tower, the astronomical clock is the central point of a very important mechanism. It ensures the functioning of the exterior and interior time dials of the cathedral as well as of 2 Comtois bells.
It is equipped with a precise and complex mechanism of more than 30,000 parts and 11 movements. Driven by weights, some of them are used for animations such as bells and automatons. The 57 dials provide numerous indications: calendars, movement of the planets, eclipses, time of high tide in different ports...
When its mechanism was still in operation, the clock also operated the four external dials located on each side of the bell tower and a fifth one located inside St John's Cathedral.
Discover Louis Auguste Vérité's technical masterpiece, which combines the search for mechanical perfection with a poetic decor.

The monument will offer a new mediation discourse and a new visiting schedule while waiting for the restoration phase to begin, according to the schedule of the DRAC of Burgundy Franche-Comté. The clock and its particularly complex mechanism are not in working order and will require patient and meticulous technical work before they can be restored to full function.
Visitors will be given the keys to understanding the history of this clock, its designer, its technical realisation and the challenges of restoring the mechanism.
Thanks to the monument's agents, the mediation panels and a showcase presenting parts of the clock mechanism currently at a standstill, visitors will be able to understand the design of this emblematic 19th century work and above all the technical challenge of restarting it that the forthcoming restoration will entail.

Dates

Opening periods

From 1 April to 31 October: 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 6pm / Closed on Mondays All Saints' Day, Christmas, Winter and Easter holidays: 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm - 6pm / Closed on Mondays Please note: last access to the monument 30 minutes before closing time. Closed on 1 January, 1 May, 1 November and 25 December.

from Sat 12/21 to Tue 12/24/2024 : Tue : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Wed-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Thu 12/26 to Tue 12/31/2024 : Tue : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm - Wed-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Thu 01/02 to Sun 01/05/2025 : Tue-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Sat 02/22 to Sun 03/09/2025 : Tue-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Tue 04/01 to Wed 04/30/2025 : Tue-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Fri 05/02 to Fri 10/31/2025 : Tue-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
from Sat 11/01 to Mon 11/03/2025 : Tue-Sun : from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm / from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Practical information

Group service

Thematic

Religious heritage

Listed or registered (CNMHS)

Visits for individuals

Duration of the visit

30 Min.

Tours for groups

Rates

	MINI	Additional information
Gratuities	0	Young people aged 18-25 who are members of the EU, teachers with an Education Pass, jobseekers and recipients of minimum social benefits.
Gratuities	0	Person with a disability and their carer
Base rate - full rate adult	5
Rate for unemployed persons	0
Group rate	4.5	reduced rate
School rate	20	school package
Other rate	4.5	SNCF Inoui
Child rate	0	under 18s
Special rate	4	SNCF Grand Voyageur season ticket

Means of payment

Credit card

Cheques and postal orders

Holiday vouchers

Cash

Eurocard - Mastercard

Visa

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