Belfry of Arras

About

The belfry of Arras is a structure of the commune of Arras, in the French department of Pas-de-Calais. Like the town hall to which it is joined, it is a historic monument. The work began in the 15th century and ended in 1554, on the plans of Jacques le Caron.

Built in the flamboyant Gothic style, the belfry is destroyed and rebuilt twice in the same way. The first time in 1833, he threatened to collapse, and the second time in 1914, following the German bombings of the First World War. In the Middle Ages, the belfry had military functions: the bell ringed the opening and closing of the city gates and the building served as a prison.

Today, it is part of Arras' heritage. It has been listed as historic monuments since 1840 and, since 2005, has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site by being included in the belfries of Belgium and France.