Analemmatic dials

Montpellier (Hérault, France)

Analemmatic dial, Montpellier

I came across this picture on the website of Claudine and Jean-Luc Astre, which has been discontinued since. An e-mail informed me that this dial is laid out on the Promenade du Peyrou, in Montpellier.

I found gnomonic details in the booklet A dozen dials by Peter Ransom*).
The hours run from IV to VIII (20) hr local time. The date line appears to be divided into the zodiacal months, but the divisions are labeled with the calender months. Thus the equinox ticks in the center are labeled "March" and "September".

According to Peter, the ellipse holding the hour points measures 5.36 by 3.88 meter. That would fit in with a latitude of 46.4°. That's the approximate latitude of Brou! Just a coincidence??
This is the fourth dial in age, as far as I know, following Brou, Dijon and Besançon.


Location: 43.6° N, 3.9° E
Design: ?
Inauguration: 1927

*) Peter Ransom, A dozen dials, 1998. Published privately by: Peter Ransom, 29 Rufus Close, Rownhams, Southampton SO16 8LR, England.



Triumphal arch for Louis XIV (August 1994)

Coming from the city center one gets to the Promenade via this triumphal arch, erected in honor of Louis XIV in 1691. Note his equestrian statue and the Château d'Eau on the Promenade in the background.

The Château d'Eau (August 1994) The elevated Promenade has a classical layout. It offers a magnificent view on the city, the Cevennes mountains and the Mediterranean. The peculiar Château d'Eau is set next to a water reservoir. The water got here through the St. Clément aqueduct (18th century) from the nearby hills.