astronomical clock of besancon cathedral

The clock is at ground floor, in a small room that is opened by a nice guide, explaining its history and describing all its parts (it could take hours to observe all its details!) just 10 minutes before the clock springs to life. The movements of the religious character are tiny, but the clock is really worth a visit.

This was an interesting experience. The mechanical clock is in a small anteroom at the base of the Cathedral. It took up about 1/2 of that small room. As an engineer I found it interesting but my family was less enthusiastic. There were five of us in our group and fortunately, except for the guide, we were the only ones in the small room. We went here several years ago but we had the same experience that Carman12 recently had where the guide said he did not speak English. Instead we were handed a written English self tour presentation in a plastic cover and the guide stood silent on the side. Fortunately, our daughter spoke good conversational French and I kept asking her to ask the guide questions that I had about the clock. However, this didn't work very well since I was asking technical questions that my daughter didn't understand in English let alone translate into French. She asked me not to ask any more questions because she was having difficulty. Still, the guide was silent. When I asked her one last question about 'How often do they have to wind the clock', she replied to me that she didn't know how to translate my question. At that point the guide said, in English, "Once a day." It's a good thing that I was careful with what I said to my daughter in English.

There were 2 French and 4 English visitors in our tour but the guide spoke entirely in French. I assumed he did not speak English but after the presentation I asked a question and it turned out that his English was very good. Disappointing then that he did not offer any English as part of his presentation. Nevertheless the clock is interesting and worth visiting.

A clock in a room ,,, but what a clock! A mad, overblown confection, but a great way to pass 20 min.

Admittance is permitted at certain times so don't think you can just show up at any time and get in. The room where the clock is located is quite small and cramped if there are many people there at the same time. If you like gears and animated characters you'll like this attraction. A visit only takes about 30 minutes.

A mechanical engineer's dream, but also beautiful work of art. Allow around 20-30 minutes for the talk

Amazing clock -you will not believe how many components -30,000 have gone into this -it tells time in different cities and has moving pictures. Make sure you get thee before 10 mins to the hour to get the full effect of the striking clock and all the changes!!!

As said by others only tours at 10 to the hour, usually a break for lunch. We went at 11.50. The entrance is at the base of the tower outside the cathedral on the side facing the citadelle. The mechanics of the timepiece are amazing with something like 40 dials telling all sorts of time related things including the time in some other cities of the world. Talk in french with english card, but happy to answer questions. Well worth half an hour of your time.

Well worth the climb to the Cathedral, but check times for tour. (usually 10 minutes to the hour.Session is in French, but an English translation card can be borrowed for the duration of the lecture.

This 'Horloge' was ordered by the Bishop of Besançon. It shows times and tides, sun, moon, planets and much more.Take a look inside. Tours 10 minutes before the hour, so you can see the saints moving. 3€ pp.

The horloge seems to be open only ten minutes before the hour. But then it might close for lunch. The day we arrived it had been open the night before and so didn't open again til 2:50. Our hotel had no idea about this. Check hours as soon as you arrive so you can plan around. Awesome clock, so very interesting. Well worth a visit.

Entry fee is €3 full price. This includes a 10 minute talk (in French, a written sheet is given in English for those who require it) by a very enthusiastic gentleman. There are several talks during the day, all starting at 10 minutes to the hour and ends with an 'on the hour' clock event. I would definitely recommend this as something interesting to do while in Besancon.

Tour is given in the upper entrance. Do not wait in the church. Tours was in French, but we asked for English paper to read. Amazing the engineering behind this. Religion and astronomy combined!

We stumbled upon the tour being given on the hour Satuday mornings, as the entrance is opposite the Hotel Charles Quint (otherwise follow the signs inside the cathedral). The guide's explanations, anecdotes and erudition gave us a huge appreciation for the clock, but beware, he only speaks French.

It was a little bit hard to find, if you go down from the Citadelle, then you better ask someone.