The Gros-Horloge - English version
A classified historic monument.
The Gros Horloge is a Renaissance building which spans the road below by means of a lowered arch. On the two Renaissance clock faces, a single hand indicates the hour.
Under the number VI, a divinity associated with the day of the week appears on a triumphal chariot.
Above the clock face, a globe shows the phases of the moon. Many depictions of sheep show the importance of the wool trade. The Paschal Lamb, part of Rouen’s coat of arms, is represented on the underside of the arch. A Louis XV fountain is the final object of note here. It depicts the love between the river God Alpheus and the nymph Arethusa.
A visit to this site reveals the hidden treasures of this exceptional monument. Within the building, you will visit the clock face room and in the belfry you can see the fourteenth century machinery and the earliest town bells. The location also gives you an exceptional panoramic view of the town.
Opening times
Open every day except Mondays :
- April - October, 10am to 1pm (last entry at 12 noon) and 2pm to 7pm (last entry at 6pm)
- November - March, 2pm to 6pm (last entry at 5pm)
Ticket prices
- Full price : 7,50€
- Reductions : 3,80€ (6 to 18 year olds, students, people on minimum income, large families and groups of at least 10 people)
- School groups : 1,65€ per child
- Free of charge for children ages less than 6, disabled people.
Payment may be made by: bank card, cash, bank cheque, holiday vouchers, bank transfers by administrative order, vouchers or exchange vouchers issued by travel agencies that specify rights of entry to particular sites etc.)
The Gros-Horloge Pass: This pass enables you to visit again for free for a period of one year. Information available at the monument.
With every full-priced entry ticket for the Gros-Horloge, one half-priced entry ticket is available at Musée de l'Horlogerie de Saint-Nicolas d'Aliermont. (please produce your ticket)
Locker
Media assistance
L’audioguide
The audio guide visits lasts between 35 and 40 minutes.
A themed audio guide tour for children aged between 6 and 12, based on Alice in Wonderland, is available in French and English.
The adult tour guide is available in several languages: French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Dutch, Japanese and Russian.
Visits for people with disabilities
Assistance is available for blind and partially sighted people in the form of a guide booklet in Braille and large characters. Please ask at reception.
The visit to the monument is not suitable for people with reduced mobility. However, an area has been set aside in the shop for people with temporary or permanent disabilities. A film about the history of the “Gros-Horloge” may be viewed. You will find out about the use of this town building from the time of its construction until today, and discover its architectural beauty. A teaser of the film can be seen below :
Direction : www.comediart.com
The shop
A range of products about the Gros-Horloge can be purchased in the bookshop at the exit (booklets for adults and children, DVD etc.)
"Monnaie de Paris" made a special coin about the Gros-Horloge. It can be purchased in the bookshop. It costs 2€.
Information : groshorloge@rouen.fr
Getting there
- Bus 8: Bus stop for “Palais de Justice”
- TEOR 1, 2 et 3: Bus stops “Théâtre des arts” and “Cathédrale”
- You can park your bike near the Palais de Justice
- Metro: “Palais de Justice”