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.

User Reviews

Carla van der Meijden (2 years ago)
Can't wait for this beautiful historic tower to be restored!

Yong Wooi Kee (3 years ago)
Great historic place

Mick Pelling (3 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 (3 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!

peter shore (3 years ago)
Great little french town bristling with history

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The Castle of Gruyères is one of the most famous in Switzerland. It was built between 1270 and 1282, following the typical square plan of the fortifications in Savoy. It was the property of the Counts of Gruyères until the bankruptcy of the Count Michel in 1554. His creditors the cantons of Fribourg and Bern shared his earldom. From 1555 to 1798 the castle became residence to the bailiffs and then to the prefects sent by Fribourg.

In 1849 the castle was sold to the Bovy and Balland families, who used the castle as their summer residency and restored it. The castle was then bought back by the canton of Fribourg in 1938, made into a museum and opened to the public. Since 1993, a foundation ensures the conservation as well as the highlighting of the building and the art collection.

The castle is the home of three capes of the Order of the Golden Fleece. They were part of the war booty captured by the Swiss Confederates (which included troops from Gruyères) at the Battle of Morat against Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy in 1476. As Charles the Bold was celebrating the anniversary of his father's death, one of the capes is a black velvet sacerdotal vestment with Philip the Good's emblem sewn into it.

A collection of landscapes by 19th century artists Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Barthélemy Menn and others are on display in the castle.

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