Stone Sundials
Creation of a sundial
This sundial was calculated for the south facade of the Bastide des Moures situated in the municipality of the Thoronet (Var 83).
This is a precision dial, vertical declining type.
It indicates the solar time of the place as well as the height of the sun in the sky.
Its motto is from Frédéric Mistral. It means “life is only a reflection of the sun” in Provencal.
A short video on the engraving of the dial…
The simple movement of shadow on lines engraved on the stone, hides the complex study of the movement of the Earth around the sun.
We make different types of sundials (horizontal, vertical, equatorial,…), all sizes (from the small to the monumental one).
These dials can indicate seasons, astrological signs, a particular date (inauguration, birthday,…).
You can choose inscriptions and ornamentations that you wish.
Each sundial is accompanied with its personal manual.
Do not hesitate to contact us, so that we can create together, your personal sundial...
Other sundials designs
Vertical sundial Septèmes-les-Vallons
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
The plan of this dial recalls that of a southern dial (it was designed for a façade practically facing due south).
It was engraved on a hard stone which was formed approximately 70 million years ago.
Size : 60 x 60 x 4 [cm]
Vertical sundial Cagnes-sur-Mer N°1
(Alpes-Maritimes 06)
Vertical sundial calculated for a northwest facade (illuminated only in the afternoon by the sun).
Its motto "FUI SUM ERO" is in Latin, it means "I was, I am, I’ll be... "
This dial was engraved on a beige amber semi-hard stone. It is an oolitic precipitation limestone (consisted of small spheres formed 160 million years ago in the oceans by limestone enveloping on small hard grains of quartz’s shell).
Size : 90 x 70 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Tourtour
(Var 83)
Sundial of a North Northwest facade. The hour read on curves in eight indicates the summer time.
Semi hard stone.
Size : 90 x 70 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Verrières-le-Buisson
(Essonne 91)
Sundial indicating the solar time.
The time’s equation is represented by the curve in eight which is astride the line of noon.
7 diurnal arcs were engraved on the dial.
Its motto is from Leonardo da Vinci, transcribed in Italian "Niente è intelligibile senza ombre e luce" which means " Nothing is understandable without shadows and light ".
Semi hard stone.
Size : 80 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Haut-de-Cagnes
(Alpes-Maritimes 06)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Every year, during the day of 22nd February, the extremity of the style‘s shadow will describe a hyperbola which will follow the blue arc.
The stone (which constitutes the dial’s table) is a semi-hard sedimentary limestone with fine beige grains, formed during the Jurassic period, 160 million years ago.
Size : 80 x 90 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial le Thoronet N°2
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
2 diurnal arcs symbolized by the extremities of half an hour lines (on the 4th January the “style’s shadow describes a hyperbola which follows the superior limit of the half an hour lines and on the 23rd March the shadow evolves on a curved line bounded by the lower limit of the half an hour lines).
Hard marble stone.
Size : 60 x 60 x 4 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-Zacharie
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
It was designed for a facade situated in Saint-Zacharie (in the Var), facing west southwest.
Every year, during the day on the 12th March, the extremity of the style’s shadow will follow the yellow arch.
The sundial was engraved on a small hard limestone’s plate.
Size : 45 x 45 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Taradeau
(Var 83)
Vertical sundial calculated for a South South West facade.
Sundial indicating the solar time.
During the winter solstice, the eyepiece's point of light follows the red superior arc.
The 11th may, the light circle is developing on the red inferior arc.
This dial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 100 x 58 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Salernes
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a South South West facade.
It is actually in exhibition in Salernes in the park of "Authentic Matériaux, ancient materials".
The curve in eight graved on the noon line symbolizes the time’s equation. It helps us to convert easily the solar time read on the dial into time on a clock.
The dial was engraved on a plate made of semi hard limestone.
Size : 90 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial la Destrousse (Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
Vertical sundial designed for a South South West face at la Destrousse.
The sundial uses the movement of the earth around the sun to indicate the solar time or a date.
During the winter solstice, when the sun trajectory is the lowest in the sky, the centre eyepiece’s point of light follows the superior red arc.
During the summer solstice, when the sun trajectory is the highest in the sky, the point of light goes through the red inferior arc.
This dial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 80 x 55 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Fréjus
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a South South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 100 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial les Adrets-de-l'Estérel N°1 (Var 83)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a sandy limestone.
Size : 80 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Six-Fours-les-Plages
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a West North West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 108 x 80 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Brignoles
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 90 x 70 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Goersdorf
(Bas-Rhin 67)
This dial was created for a West South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard marble stone.
Size : 70 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial le Castellet
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 58 x 83.5 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 105 x 72 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Tavernes
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a North East facade.
Size : 55 x 54 x 10 [cm]
Vertical sundial Venelles
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 100 x 100 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Mornant
(Rhône 69)
This dial was created for an East South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 60 x 60 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Draguignan
(Var 83)
Vertical sundial designed for a South East facade at Draguignan.
The dial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 100 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Cotignac
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South West facade at Cotignac.
The style (dial part which creates the shadow) is made of brass. Its extremity is arrow-shaped.
The stone (which constitutes the dial plate) is made of hard limestone.
Size : 80 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Néoules
(Var 83)
Vertical sundial designed for a South facade at Néoules.
The dial was engraved on a hard stone.
Dimensions : 48 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Forcalqueiret
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard limestone.
Size : 90 x 70 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Briennon
(Loire 42)
This dial was created for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 80 x 55 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial La Roquette-sur-Siagne (Alpes-Maritimes 06)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 45 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Auriol
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
This dial was created for a South South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 152 x 135 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Gif-sur-Yvette
(Essonne 91)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size :
80 x 70 x 3 [cm] (upstairs)
29 x 95 x 3 [cm] (downstairs)
Vertical sundial Saint-Péray
(Ardèche 07)
This dial was created for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 100 x 69 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Port-Ripaille
(Haute-Savoie 74)
This dial was created for a South South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 100 x 59.5 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Lorgues
(Var 83)
This dial was created for a West North West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 140 x 99.2 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Coublevie
(Isère 38)
This dial was created for a South South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 80.6 x 52.5 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Brest
(Finistère 29)
This dial was created for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on slate.
Size : 100 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial les Adrets-de-l'Estérel N°2 (Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade at les Adrets-de-l'Estérel.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 50 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Entrecasteaux
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South West facade at Entrecasteaux.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size :
80 x 80 x 10 [cm] (octagon)
110 x 16 x 30 [cm] (pedestal)
Vertical sundial le Tignet
(Alpes-Maritimes 06)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a West South West facade at le Tignet.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 100 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Vence
(Alpes-Maritimes 06)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South East facade at Vence.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 88.5 x 70 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Flayosc N°1
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade at Flayosc.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 80 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Jouques
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South West facade at Jouques.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 50 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Céret
(Pyrénées-Orientales 66)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South West facade at Céret.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 100 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Le Poët-Laval
(Drôme 26)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 90 x 60 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Aix-en-Provence
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade at Aix-en-Provence.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 60 x 70 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Beauvoisin
(Gard 30)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 89 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Châteaurenard
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 115 x 100 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Flayosc N°2
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South West facade at Flayosc.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 106 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-Tropez
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South East facade at Saint-Tropez.
Walking down the street "rue Georges Clémenceau" (to the harbour from the "Place des Lices").
Vertical sundial Valle-di-Rostino
(Corsica)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 80 x 90 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Villefranche
(Alpes-Maritimes 06)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade at Villefranche.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 88.5 x 57.5 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-Andéol-de-Berg
(Ardèche 07)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 50 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Villard-Reculas
(Isère 38)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on slate.
Size : 50 x 46 x 4 [cm]
Vertical sundial Roussy
(Moselle 57)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a West South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on slate.
Size : 70 x 50 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Bonneville-la-Louvet
(Calvados 14)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a West North West facade.
The sundial was engraved on slate.
Size : 90 x 50 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-André-de-Rosans (Hautes-Alpes 05)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a West South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 130 x 93 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Arfeuille-Châtain
(Creuse 23)
The lines of this sun dial have the peculiarity to correct the longitude and
* winter time zone (in dark blue)
* summer time zone (in yellow)
That is why, the solar hour read on the dial is very close to the hour of our watches.
Size : 50 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Toulon
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade at Toulon.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 85 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Colombiers
(Hérault 34)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a North North East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 45 x 35 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial le Thoronet N°3
(Var 83)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South East facade at le Thoronet.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 45 x 70 x 6 [cm]
Vertical sundial Remoulins
(Gard 30)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 126 x 78 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Angles
(Alpes-de-Haute-Provence 04)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a West South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 110 x 75 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Talmont-Saint-Hilaire
(Vendée 85)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 60 x 60 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Donnery
(Loiret 45)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a West South West facade.
The sundial is decorated with Masonic symbols such as the square and compass, and the all-seeing eye.
The sundial was engraved on slate.
Size : 100 x 80 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Chapelle-de-Guinchay
(Saône-et-Loire 71)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 65 x 53 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-Vincent-des-Prés
(Sarthe 72)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 60 x 60 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Sarrazac
(Lot 46)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South facade.
The sundial was engraved on slate.
Size : 70 x 60 x 2 [cm]
Vertical sundial Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne
(Ain 01)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 60 x 50 x 2 [cm]
Cylindrical sundial Tower of Beauvallon at Grimaud (Var 83)
This cylindrical sundial is mounted on a tower at Grimaud.
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for an East South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 102 x 80 x 7 [cm]
Vertical sundial Saint-Etienne-de-Fontbellon
(Ardèche 07)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South East facade.
It's motto "E PUR SI MUOVE!" "And yet it moves" or "Albeit it does move" is attributed to Galileo Galilei (Italian mathematician, physicist and philosopher). In 1633 after being forced to recant his claims that the earth moves around the immovable sun rather than the converse.
Size : 60 x 60 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Grans
(Bouches-du-Rhône 13)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for an East South East facade.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 199 x 90 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Recco
(Italy)
The dial indicates the summer time!
Its plan was designed for a South facade in Italy.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 74.4 x 90 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Ouistreham
(Calvados 14)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South West facade.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 90 x 80 x 3 [cm]
Vertical sundial Cagnes-sur-Mer N°3
(Alpes-Maritimes 06)
The dial indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for a South South East facade at Cagnes-sur-Mer.
The sundial was engraved on a hard stone.
Size : 60 x 50 x 3 [cm]
Meridian sundial Clock Tower in Gonfaron
(Var 83)
The meridian sundial (dial restricted to its noon line) indicates the solar time.
Its plan was designed for the South East facade (Clock Tower of Gonfaron).
Before restoration, the tower only had the style of the sundial.
Size : 230 x 50 x 3 cm
Armillary sundial in marble and brass
This armillary sundial has the peculiarity to be adjustable. It can indicate the solar time under latitudes included between 30 and 65 °.
A light point indicates the sun’s height in the sky and allows to read the date.
Size : 38 x 140 [cm]
Horizontal sundial on a funeral plate (Giens, Var 83)
This horizontal sundial is a tribute to the sailor Gilles Barbanson represented here with his wife on his Figaro’s boat. This funeral plate also integrates a wind rose with a weather vane in brass.
Semi hard stone.
Size : 60 x 110 x 4 [cm]
Horizontal sundial Cagiallo (Suisse)
The hourly lines’ plan of this horizontal sundial takes into account corrections of the winter time zone and longitude.
Size : 30 x 30 x 1.5 [cm]
Horizontal sundial Douai
(Nord 59)
This horizontal sundial was created, as a tribute to the president of the Astronomy Club of Douai.
The engraving illustrates Cassiopeia and the Solar System...
Size : 45 x 45 x 3 [cm]
Horizontal sundial Nemours
(Seine-et-Marne 77)
A replica of an old sundial.
The sundial was engraved on a semi-hard stone.
Size : 35 x 35 x 3 [cm]
Meridian sundial Trans-en-Provence
(Var 83)
This meridian sundial (dial restricted to its noon line) indicates the solar time.
Size : 123 x 12 x 4 [cm]
Commemorative Stele
(Var 83)
Stele Commemorating the most important dates of 2 Great Wars through a Solar Calendar.
The metal eyepiece projects a point of light on the stone which moves as the sun moves during the day. The height is determined by the season.
Curves symbolize the route followed by the point of light during the remembrance of every event.
Size : 210 x 160 x 30 [cm]
Awarded by the Gnomonic Accuracy Label
of the Sundials’ Commission of the Astronomical Company of France.