The story of the Grosse Cloche
The Grosse Cloche is one of the last remains of Bordeaux's medieval walls. Its two round towers and central belfry were the gate of the old town hall in the 15th century, and pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela passed through it, stopping at the Saint-Éloi church next door.
The great bell, weighing almost 8 tonnes, was cast in 1775. It warned the city of fires, announced the grape harvest and today rings only on special occasions, like the first Sunday of each month and national holidays. The gate appears on the city's coat of arms.
