Béthune Belfry

Béthune, France

The 47-metre-tall belfry is standing in the center of Béthune. The Belgian border can be seen from the top. The chime of the belfry is composed of thirty-six bells. A belfry has stood on the site since 1346. The current belfry plays melodies every 15 minutes, including the ch'ti (regional patois) children's lullaby min p'tit quinquin (my little darling). In 2005, the belfry was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France site, because of its architecture and testimony to the rise of municipal power in Europe.

Address

Grand Place 10, Béthune, France

See all sites in Béthune

Details

Founded: 1346
Category: Miscellaneous historic sites in France
Historical period: Valois Dynasty and Hundred Year's War (France)

More Information

www.atlasobscura.com
visitworldheritage.com

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Carla van der Meijden (5 years ago)
Can't wait for this beautiful historic tower to be restored!

Yong Wooi Kee (6 years ago)
Great historic place

Mick Pelling (6 years ago)
First time visit to this city, but only had a small walk around, looked a nice place. Maybe I will return.

Alastair McKenzie (6 years ago)
A narrow medieval circular staircase to climb, but punctuated with rooms on each floor to catch your breath. The last bit involves a tight squeeze on your hands & knees to get out onto the balcony. Interesting carillon mechanism, but you want to time your arrival at the top so not to be deafened!

howard davies (6 years ago)
Old city cobbled Square surrounded by beautiful 4/5 storey buildings

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.