The First Public Clock of Paris

Shariq Ali
Valueversity

In the heart of the Île de la Cité stands the Clock Tower, on which is mounted the historic timepiece crafted by engineer Henri de Vic in 1370, on the orders of King Charles V. This was not merely an instrument for measuring hours; it was a symbol of a new urban civilization in Paris. Before this, Parisians measured time by the movement of the sun, bell towers, or the chimes of churches. With this clock, for the first time, time became visible, organized, and shared—a true public clock.

The tower itself had been built earlier, between 1350 and 1353. Facing the River Seine and enclosed by thick stone walls, the clock also housed its engineer, Henri de Vic, so he could oversee its maintenance. For that era, this was considered a high-tech responsibility. The clock’s reputation grew so widely that by 1418, an external dial was added, enabling people to read the time from the street both day and night.

Later, in 1585, King Henri III adorned the clock’s face with symbolic sculptures of “Law” and “Justice” by Germain Pilon. Set against a deep blue background and golden fleurs-de-lis, the clock still conveys its Latin inscription: the machine that divides twelve hours so justly reminds you to uphold law and justice in your own lives.

The bell of this clock was rung on royal occasions. It is said that on the tragic night of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (August 16, 1572), Paris resonated with its chimes. Although parts of the clock were damaged during the French Revolution, 19th- and 20th-century restorations revived its grandeur. Today, six centuries later, this clock continues to remind us that in civic life, time is not only something that passes—it is something that can be shaped with strategy, order, and justice.