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Church · Besançon, Borgonha-Franco-Condado
Cathédrale Saint-Jean et Horloge astronomique
Catedral de São João, with two opposing choirs, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque parts, and the 1860 astronomical clock, with thousands of pieces and dozens of dials.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Cathédrale Saint-Jean et Horloge astronomique
The cathedral of São João stands at the foot of the Citadel hill, in the neighborhood of the old canons' houses, just above the Porte Noire. The church has very ancient origins and was rebuilt several times, in the 9th and 11th centuries and later. It mixes Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque elements, and is one of the rare churches in France with two choirs, one at each end of the nave.
Inside, notable features include the Rosa de São João, a circular white marble altar from the 11th century, and about thirty listed paintings, among them a Virgin with saints by the Italian painter Fra Bartolomeo. Counts of Borgonha and archbishops are buried there.
In the bell tower is the astronomical clock, built in 1860 by the watchmaker Auguste-Lucien Vérité. It is a machine of thousands of parts with dozens of dials that show the time in various cities around the world, the tides, eclipses, the seasons and the movement of the planets. Animated figures appear on the hour. The clock is seen on a guided visit at scheduled times.
The cathedral and the clock tell of Besançon's connection to watchmaking, which made the city a center for time measurement in France.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 minutes for the cathedral; about 45 minutes with the guided visit to the clock.
Best time
Combine it with the climb to the citadel. The astronomical clock can only be visited at scheduled times; check before you go. During masses, the visit is limited.
How to get there
It is on rue de la Convention, at the foot of the Citadel hill, about a 10-minute walk from the Grande Rue and just above the Porte Noire.
Tip
Schedule the guided visit to the clock on the hour, when the animated figures move.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cathédrale Saint-Jean et Horloge astronomique
What is the astronomical clock of Besançon?
A machine from 1860 by Auguste‑Lucien Vérité, with dozens of dials indicating the time in various cities, tides, eclipses, the seasons and the planets. It is in the cathedral's bell tower.
Can you see the astronomical clock without a guide?
No. The clock is seen on guided tours at scheduled times. Check before you go.
What is different about Besançon's cathedral?
It has two choirs, one at each end of the nave, and the 11th-century circular marble altar, the Rose of Saint John.