The Clock Tower
in Pays d’Opale

Delve into the city’s captivating origins

In the heart of the Guînoise city, the Clock Tower was built on a feudal motte.

History

The original feudal motte was built in 928 by Sifrid Le Danois (founder of the dynasty of the Counts of Guînes) to defend the town of Guînes.
On this mound were successively built a dungeon, then a strong house, where a clock was installed in 1630, and a bell in 1634 to give the hours to the whole of the city and to the workers of the fields.

From the 16th century until the Edict of Marly in 1765, Guînes depended administratively and judicially on Calais. This situation is not to the taste of the notables of Guînes who aspire to communal independence. Visible sign of this desire for autonomy: the construction of the Clock Tower in 1763, financed by Pierre Lenoir.

An interpretation center

In recent years, a space has been entirely devoted to the history of the town of Guînes. This playful interpretation center took place at the foot of the Clock Tower, and the museum was named after it. Here, you will discover the origins of the city, its medieval grandeur as well as the famous Camp du Drap d’Or.