Let's take a closer look at this square! First, please admire the Hôtel de Ville d'Aix-en-Provence, which façade was inspired by Italian palaces. This remarkable structure was rebuilt between 1655 and 1678, under the supervision of architect Pierre Pavillon, with the collaboration of talented sculptors Jean-Claude Rambot and Jacques Fossé. It evokes the classical elegance and grandeur of the period. Just beside the Hôtel de Ville stands the Tour de l'Horloge, also known as the Tour Communale. It spans the street and has a fascinating history. Built on a white limestone base dating back to Roman times, it was raised in 1510 and adorned with flamboyant accolades and pinnacles. At the top, a 16th-century wrought-iron cage houses the ban bell, which once summoned citizens to council or defend the town within a one-mile radius.