Place de l'Horloge

The Place de l'Horloge has traditionally been at the heart of Avignon. The esplanade, which used to house the Roman forum, took on its current form in the nineteenth century. Today, cafés and restaurants have terraces on one side of the square, which is shaded by enormous plane trees. The façade of the Theatre and Town Hall from the nineteenth century stands opposite, while the Calvet de la Palun Hotel, built by Jean-Baptiste Franque at the end of the 18th century, stands at the top of the plaza towards the Palais des Papes.

The clock gives the square above the Town Hall its name; it is an old belfry, a vestige of the cardinal's livery of Albano, demolished in 1844. Since the 15th century, a few jacquemarts have rung the bell. In 1838, the original statues were removed and deposited in the Palais du Roure.

The square was adorned with a colossal sculpture commemorating the centennial of the Comtat Venaissin's meeting with France. The massive memorial was relocated in 1974 to the Oule lanes outside the ramparts in front of the Rhône quays. It has been replaced by a lovely carousel for the enjoyment of both youngsters and adults over the years.

During the Avignon Festival in July, the Place de l'Horloge comes alive from early morning until late at night. The terraces fill up, bystanders gather to applaud the street artists, and theater groups arrive to entice spectators by presenting unique parades.

Theater:

The Avignon theatre is located in Horloge square, just close to the City Hall. An earlier theatre, built in 1825, was destroyed by fire in 1846. A new theater was shortly constructed. Molière and Corneille are represented by the two statues that flank the entrance.

The theatre, officially known as the Opera du Grand Avignon, hosts performances throughout the year, as well as during the Avignon Festival.

City Hall:

Avignon City Hall is located in the city center, on the Horloge plaza. It was constructed in 1844, and its shape is characteristic of nineteenth-century architecture.

Previously, the City Hall was housed in a gothic cardinal palace. Its tower and clock were saved and may now be seen above the façade. The carillon's clock strikes the hours of the day.