This tower, dating from 1209, is one of the oldest belfries in France. Miraculously, only the upper part was destroyed in 1940, while the town collapsed under the bombing raids.
Restored in 1986, it contains two bells brought back from Boufakir (Algeria) by Max Lejeune, mayor of the town at the time. A weather vane on the top represents Guillaume Talvas, Count of Ponthieu, known as Longue Epée (Long Sword), who granted the burghers the right to constitute the town as a community in 1130.
While the Abbeville belfry has no clock, it still has a sun dial on its western façade. However, it has not retained its openwork wooden cage, suspended by four chains from the vault in the lower room.
That is where the “insane” were shut up. The upper room contains graffiti dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is even possible to make out a crucifixion on the ancient stone.
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