Musée du Temps (Palais Granvelle)
Musée du Temps
The Museum of Time in France's 'capital of watchmaking', housed in the Renaissance Palais Granvelle, with precision clocks and a Foucault pendulum.
The Palais Granvelle was built in the 16th century as the residence of Granvelle, an adviser to Charles V. Its inner courtyard has elegant arcades and is free to enter. The Museum of Time inside tells the history of Besançon's clockmaking, with sundials, marine chronometers, pocket watches, and the Leroy 01, once considered one of the most complicated pocket watches in the world. A Foucault pendulum hangs on the top floor, and the tower offers city views. Closed on Mondays. Admission costs about €6. It stands in the middle of the Grande Rue and is within walking distance of Victor Hugo's birthplace and Saint-Jean Cathedral.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun approx. 10:00–18:00
Nearby sights
- Victor Hugo's Birthplace
- Porte Noire & Square Castan
- Grande Rue & Old Town
- Besançon Cathedral & Astronomical Clock
- Doubs River Cruise
- Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie
- Cité des Arts et de la Culture
- Parc Micaud