Compiegne Town Hall in Picardy, just north of Paris. This ornate gothic structure, the Hotel de Ville, or town hall, was built at the end of the 15th century during the reign of Louis XII, and has a statue of him on the front facade. The belfry tower houses the Bancloque, a bell that has existed since 1303 and the three animated Picantin automata, a German, an Englishman and a Burgundian, dressed in 16th century costume, strike out the hours on the bells with their hammers. Built Structure | Town | City | History | Architecture