Every hour, a golden knight battles either a dragon, a bird, or a crab. But three times a day—at 12 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m.—you can catch the full show, where he takes on all three! This valiant automaton is Le Défenseur du Temps (The Defender of Time), and the animals represent the forces of earth (dragon), sky (bird), and sea (crab).
Location
Address: 19 Rue Brantôme, 75003 Paris, France
Hours: You can visit the clock 24/7, but to see it come to life, go at the top of the hour when a randomizer selects which creature the knight will fight. Visit at 12 p.m., 6 p.m., or 10 p.m. for the “big” battle.
This magnificent mechanical clock was created by French artist Jacques Monestier in 1979. Standing just over 13 feet tall and weighing one ton, it’s made from steel, brass, and gold leaf. After standing still for nearly two decades, it was fully restored in 2022.
We got a nightcap at the perfectly located Le Bistro de l’Horloge, where we watched the Defender of Time triumph against all three creatures at 10 p.m. I couldn’t quite hear much beyond the opening drumbeats, but according to the nearby plaque, each creature comes with its own soundtrack: rushing wind for the bird, rumbling earth for the dragon, and crashing waves for the crab.
