BEFFROI, HALLE ET PLACE CENTRALE DE REVEL

The town of Revel was founded by the French King Philippe VI in 1342. This bastide is organised around a central square where the streets converge in a grid pattern. This square with its polychrome galleries and arcades of brick, wood and stone is a real setting for a splendid medieval market hall.

The 14th century market hall is one of the largest in France. It is 39 m each side and is supported by 79 oak pillars. It is the heart Revel citizen life, especially on Saturday mornings when one of the 10 most beautiful markets in France takes place.

Revel Belfry, neo-classical style, dates from 1834 replacing a half-timbered and bricks architecture. The belfry rings the bell for the whole town. The country guard and town crier lived there until 1965. It had several functions: watchtower, town clocks and bells, prison and town hall.

These two intertwined buildings are subject to a major restoration campaign scheduled to run from late 2024 to spring 2026. Climbing up the belfry will no longer be possible.
The roof will be re-tiled, fragile beams replaced, some pillars reinforced, the bell tower masonry restored. The dome covered with its original mateial: fish-scale slates. The clocks will be settled in their original height and the terrace cladding removed to reveal the terracotta floor tiles of it conceals. The terrace door will be returned to its original position. The interior of the tower will also be refurbished to provide the best possible conditions to welcome the public after the works. In the meantime, the Tourist Office will be moved to the Musée du Bois et de la Marqueterie.