Come and admire the clock house and its bell tower
This building was built to give the inhabitants of the Morinand district a time reference point, which did not exist before. As they were dependent on Saint-Martin, they could not hear the bell from either Bois-Plage or the capital of the Retais. For this farming population, there was an urgent need for at least one bell to ring the hours.
In 1902, the building was inaugurated, crowned with its 50-kilo bell on an iron structure and a clock that struck the right time. The premises were then used as a day nursery, as we would say today, for children from the Rouland neighbourhood. However, in 1960, the ‘école enfantine’ closed and the clock, which had become too dilapidated, was removed. The building became a storage area for the local fire engine and a new clock was installed. Then, in 1992, work was undertaken to restore the building's bell tower, this time in ashlar, and its current, more visible clock.
Although the bell is old and damaged, it is still ringing. The only time it is more discreet is in summer, when it stops ringing before 1st September.
In 1902, the building was inaugurated, crowned with its 50-kilo bell on an iron structure and a clock that struck the right time. The premises were then used as a day nursery, as we would say today, for children from the Rouland neighbourhood. However, in 1960, the ‘école enfantine’ closed and the clock, which had become too dilapidated, was removed. The building became a storage area for the local fire engine and a new clock was installed. Then, in 1992, work was undertaken to restore the building's bell tower, this time in ashlar, and its current, more visible clock.
Although the bell is old and damaged, it is still ringing. The only time it is more discreet is in summer, when it stops ringing before 1st September.
