Dreaming of a time when clocks were a royal statement? Right here on Rue de l’Horloge stands a testament to that era. This is where the oldest public clock in Paris resides.
Rue de l’Horloge owes its name to this historical timepiece. It adorns the Palais de la Cité. This clock wasn’t just for telling time. It was a symbol of royal power.
Imagine Paris in the 14th century. People relied on sundials and church bells. Then King Charles V commissioned Henri de Vic to create a public clock. Installed on the Palais de la Cité. It was a marvel.
The clock was more than functional. It was beautiful. Covered in gold leaf. Adorned with a blue mantle and fleurs-de-lis. Its bells chimed every hour. They announced royal births, marriages, and deaths. The clock quickly became essential to Parisians.
But time and weather took their toll. In 1585, King Henri III ordered a restoration. He added more decorations including two statues.
To the right stood Thémis the Greek goddess of Justice. She held a sword and scales. To the left was the allegory of Law with a scepter. She also had a tablet inscribed with Latin. It reminded Parisians to respect royal law.
Above and below the clock, plaques were installed. The upper one honored Henri III. He was once Grand Duke of Lithuania and King of Poland. The lower plaque compared the clock to royal power.
Look closely at the roof. You will see monograms. “H” and “C” for Henri II and Catherine de Médicis. “H” and “M” for Henri IV and Marguerite de Valois.
The clock faced damage during the Revolution. However, restorations brought back its splendor. In 2011 and 2012, a careful restoration returned it to its 17th-century appearance. The team used descriptions from an 1852 restoration. They rebuilt the decor to match its look from 1686. This included the blue background with fleur-de-lis.
The current clock face is a square. It has a round center with radiating beams. The royal coat of arms of France is in the background. The Roman numerals are sculpted in relief. The hands are made of copper and bronze.
At the bottom are the dates 1852 and 1909. These mark major restorations. Plaques display wisdom. They are attributed to the poet Jean Passerat. The upper plaque refers to Henri II’s crowns. The lower one advises to uphold justice and law.
Today a plane tree partially hides the clock. But the city refuses to cut it down. After royal decrees, nature has taken over.
Rue de l’Horloge offers a glimpse into Paris’s royal past. It connects us to the time when a clock symbolized power. A time when telling time was a statement.