After touring The Conciergerie’s giant underground halls, we were heading west to our next destination. Spotting this magnificent clock, it took a couple of snaps, not realizing its historical significance — it was the first public clock in Paris installed in the 14th century.

The Conciergerie features four towers, and this is the tallest, with five levels serving as both a watchtower and clock tower. I don’t know any French, but it sure sounds fancy. This structure is called Tour de l’Horloge, which means Clock Tower in English, but the French make it sound more important.

The clock has been embellished and restored several times, most recently in 2012. Visually, the clock seems more impressive than the great halls of stone arches.

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