L’Heure de Vérité Astronomical Clock of Beauvais Cathedral
Two hundred pages exploring the history, mechanisms and spiritual meaning of Auguste-Lucien Vérité’s masterpiece, illustrated with nearly 250 photographs and drawings. The book is available in both French and English editions.
Understanding a timeless masterpiece
Produced on the initiative of the Association Beauvais Cathédrale, L’Heure de Vérité pays tribute to Auguste-Lucien Vérité, a discreet yet brilliant clockmaker from Beauvais, and reveals the remarkable riches of his monumental astronomical clock.
Commissioned in 1865 by Bishop Joseph-Armand Gignoux of Beauvais, the clock was also the fruit of a collective endeavour. Many residents of Beauvais took part in the creation of this work, conceived to be “exceptionally beautiful and instructive for the faithful”.
The book brings together history, architecture, theology, photography and horological explanations. Even the most complex mechanisms become accessible thanks to precise drawings and particularly rich illustrations.
A book for looking at the clock in a new way, understanding how it works, and appreciating the genius of its creator.
What you will discover in the book
The narrative sets the clock within its historical period while giving readers the keys to reading its dials, understanding its mechanisms and interpreting its decoration.
Measuring time
The Beauvais clock set within the long history of clockmaking and astronomy.
Auguste-Lucien Vérité
The life, research and work of this 19th-century inventor from Beauvais.
An eventful history
The commission, construction and remarkable twists and turns that have marked the monument’s life.
A spiritual teaching
The meaning behind the case’s architecture, the arrangement of the dials and the animated scenes.
The secrets of the mechanisms
Gears, transmissions and motors explained through clear drawings, designed to be understood by everyone.
A living heritage
The craftsmanship of the artists and artisans of the late 19th century, still visible today.
The authors
Members of the Association Beauvais Cathédrale with a deep attachment to the clock, the five authors bring together their different areas of expertise to reveal the full richness of the work.
A beautiful book to give or to keep
Its large format, binding and richly illustrated content make it at once a book for discovery, a documentary reference and a beautiful object devoted to the heritage of Beauvais.
- Title
- L’Heure de Vérité
- Publisher
- Monelle Hayot
- Format
- 24 × 28 cm
- Pages
- 200 pages
- Illustrations
- Around 250
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Published
- 2021
- Editions
- French and English
Where to buy L’Heure de Vérité?
The book is available at a retail price of €39.00, in both French and English editions. You can purchase it during your visit to Beauvais or order it through your local bookshop.
At the cathedral kiosk
Find the book, in both its French and English editions, at the kiosk of Saint-Pierre Cathedral in Beauvais, and take the opportunity of your visit to discover the astronomical clock it is devoted to.
Plan your visitAt your local bookshop
Simply give the title and ISBN number below to your bookseller. The book can also be ordered directly from its publisher.
ISBN 979-10-96561-19-3 View the publisher’s page ↗Availability at the kiosk is subject to stock on the day of your visit.