Town Hall belfry

You’re now at the very heart of the city. Talk about a lively spot! Georges Clémenceau square was practically built for good times. It dates all the way back to the 14th century. The Prince of Orange had a new square built close to the church, to give his people a place to meet and enjoy themselves. In medieval times, the square was home to a market and the town council, where the townspeople would discuss public affairs. Since 1713, the square has also been home to the Town Hall of Orange, housed in a former mansion. The building belonged to Frédéric de Langes, Lord of Lubières, and later President of the Parliament of Orange. His family, who clung to their Protestant faith after the return of the Catholics, were forced to flee to Switzerland in the early 1700s. The city then seized the property and set up its municipal council. In 1715, they added a belfry to the building. The clock and wrought-iron cage boast a classic Provençal style, and the bell is a relic from the old city hall. I’ll leave you to admire it all at your leisure. The belfry was listed as a historical monument in 1907, and it was subsequently restored in 2004.