Salvador Dali Sundial

Salvador Dali Sundial

Perhaps you have visited the only permanent exhibition in France dedicated to the Spanish artist; Salvador Dali at Espace Dali on the hill of Montmartre.

Or have snapped a photo of this monumental piece of Dali entitled Chuuut! (ssshh) by Parisian street artist Jeff Aerosol with his signature arrow sitting beneath Dali’s right eye, located between the Saint Merry Church and the Pompidou Centre of Modern Art.

However, three years prior to Dali designing the familiar logo that adorns the wrapper of the popular Spanish loli-pop, Chupa Chump, he created a sundial.

I am always banging on about ‘don’t forget to look up’ and this is another good reason why.

Located  behind Paroisse de Saint-Séverin, (pictured here) on the Rue Saint-Jacques and not far from the Notre Dame is where you will find this small wonder but you will need to look up!

Installed in 1966 to much fanfare which included a brass band, surrealist artisit, Salvador Dali unveiled his concrete sculpture, a sun-dial which is still fixed to the side of a building on Rue Saint-Jacques.

There are a few theories why Salvador Dali gifted this sundial to the city of Paris.

One such theory is, given Dali was Spanish and Rue Saint-Jacques was the original main route for Pilgrims to begin their journey from Paris to Santiago de Compostela.

To back up this theory, the face of the dial is in the shape of a scallop shell or in French, Coquille Saint-Jacques. 

Pilgrims would wear a scallop shell to show they were taking the long pilgrimage. Above the piercing blue eyes, you can see the heat rising above the brows, indicating the arduous journey ahead.

Another story that floats around is that Dali’s friends owned a business below where the sundial is located and he wanted to show them his appreciation by way of this as a gift.

It is in remarkable condition given how long it has been here but a pity that it doesn’t work. 

To the left of Dali’s signature some say that the curly detail represents Dali himself and his handlebar moustache.

Quirky but cute and it is free to visit. There are many special treats to be discovered in Paris … you just need to know where to find them.

If you have found this information interesting or useful, please leave a comment or follow me on facebook for daily tips, photos and anecdotes, your feedback encourages me to keep this site up to date.  Merci!

Paris Adéle’s Information Necessaire :

Salvador Dali Sun-Dial
27 Rue Saint-Jacques
Paris, 75005

Nearest Metros: Cluny – La Sorbonne & Saint Michel – Notre Dame

MAP: https://goo.gl/maps/opqC4UcNegr

Espace Dali Museum Montmartre: Official Website

Discover more Paris Adèle Secrets:

  • Belle Époque Brothels
    Belle Époque Brothels
    Lavish brothels dotted around Paris during the Belle Epoque were easily identifiable, some relics exist today, if you know what to look for.
  • Square de Montsouris
    Square de Montsouris
    A hidden jewel, begging to be discovered. Eclectic maisons wrapped in greenery, unseen by most tourists to Paris.
  • Secret Garden Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu
    Secret Garden Hôpital Hôtel-Dieu
    A secret garden in an unusual location, right in the centre of Paris that thousands of tourists pass by each day without knowing it exists.
  • La Galcante
    La Galcante
    Vintage periodicals and books fill this small quirky, off the beaten path shop in a secluded courtyard where you may find the perfect Parisian souvenir.
  • Lavirotte Building and Square Rapp
    Lavirotte Building and Square Rapp
    Exquisite Art Nouveau building with one of the most beautiful doors in Paris & a tiny square that offers a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower.
  • Passage de l’Ancre
    Passage de l’Ancre
    Who would know a delightful, tranquil little piece of paradise could be hidden away behind an unassuming crooked doorway in the heart of Paris.
  • Rue Crémieux
    Rue Crémieux
    A tiny paved street, that oozes charm, lined with pretty colourful houses that will take your breath away, still one of Paris' best kept secrets.
  • Musée des Arts Forains
    Musée des Arts Forains
    Transport yourself back in time. Ride spectacular antique carousels, play ancient fair-ground games and admire colourful memorabilia.
  • Villa Olivier-Métra
    Villa Olivier-Métra
    Pretty cottages with colourful shutters line this serene leafy path with quaint personal touches added by residents who have a playful sense of humour.
  • Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
    Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève
    A remarkable and historic reading room with its spectacular ceiling, books lining the vast long walls and rows of green reading lamps.
  • St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute
    St. Sergius Orthodox Theological Institute
    Hidden away on a leafy hill is the oldest Russian Orthodox Theological Institute in Western Europe.
  • Restaurant Foyer de la Madeleine
    Restaurant Foyer de la Madeleine
    Lurking deep in the cellars of L’église Sainte-Marie-Madeleine is one of Paris' best kept secrets, Restaurant Foyer de la Madeleine.
  • An Angel in Paris
    An Angel in Paris
    Soaring high above, with it's delicate wings nestled under a fourth floor balcony and yet remarkably this rare Paris secret often goes unnoticed.
  • Bibliothèque Richelieu
    Bibliothèque Richelieu
    Millions of books line the walls of this historic library under monumental ceilings and finally, it is open to the public.
  • The Secret Passage
    The Secret Passage
    This lush and adorably sweet top secret passageway is a pure delight. Let me show you where to find it and how to gain entry. But sssh ... it's our secret.
  • Passage Boudin
    Passage Boudin
    Creeping vines, colourful flower boxes and an unusual semi-circular building that would be more at home in the Mediterranean is just some things you will find.
  • Cité Florale
    Cité Florale
    A secret micro village hidden away, in a small pocket, off the beaten path in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. Discover why it is called the Floral City.
  • La Butte aux Cailles
    La Butte aux Cailles
    A secret hideway with cobbled streets, a sweet village square, interesting street art and friendly, affordable cafés, tucked away in the 13th arrondissement.
  • Rue de Mouzaïa
    Rue de Mouzaïa
    Off the beaten path, Rue de Mouzaia will make you feel blessed that you discovered this secret hideaway and it’s surrounds in the 19th arrondissement.
  • Rue des Thermopyle
    Rue des Thermopyle
    Apart from locals taking a short-cut, or Parisians on a quiet stroll, what you will find here is a wisteria filled, rustic cobbled pathway.
  • Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur
    Square Saint-Gilles Grand Veneur
    Hidden away behind the Hôtel du Grand Veneur in the Marais is a little known secret square with a surprising artistic connection.
  • Salvador Dali Sundial
    Salvador Dali Sundial
    Many people pass this hidden gem by Salvador Dali tucked away on the Left Bank of Paris unaware that they only need to look up.

4 Responses to Salvador Dali Sundial

  • CLARA

    ADELE YOUR AMAZING THANK YOU FOR ALL THESE HIDDEN TREASURES IM SO GLAD TO KNOW YOU AND FOLLOW YOU ON FACE BOOK AND I LOVE LOVE YOUR BLOG SO INFORMATIVE YOU LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND ALL THAT,S LEFT FOR YOU TO DO IS WALK BESIDE US AS WE ENTER INTO THE SECRET PASSAGES OF PARIS . IM TELLING YOU I WISH I WAS RICH BECAUSE I SO WOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOU WOULD WRITE THAT BOOK NO BOOKS YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL A STORY AND TAKES IN WE FEEL LIKE WERE IN YOUR STORY THE WAY YOU TELL IT. YOU HAVE GOT A TALENT I TRULLY HOPE SOMEONE THE RIGHT PERSON READS YOUR WORK AND WILL STAND BEHIND YOU AND GET YOU STARTED ON THE WAY TO WRITE THOSE BOOKS … YOU TRULY HAVE A TALENT GIRL PLEASE SOMEONE DISCOVER THIS GIRL

    TRULY YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN
    CLARA

    • parisadele

      Hello Clara
      thank you so much for leaving this kind, thoughtful and gorgeous message, you are the best!

      Let’s hope someone does think that I am worthy of a book that would be fabulous to put all of this work and more into a lovely book.

      thank you, I really appreciate your lovely message

      Adèle

  • Margarita Cesar

    This is awesome! I’ll be sure to go out and look for it. Just found your website and I’m obsessed. I moved to Paris this year and love finding these little secrets. Thank you for creating this website!

  • Karen Lewis

    I retired 31 December 2017 and 2 weeks later my husband and I were in Paris. We stayed at a small hotel on Rue Saint-Jacques although we didn’t understand the significance at the time. But within 2 months we made the decision to walk the Camino de Santiago. At ages 63 and 64, we walked 35 days from Saint Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compestella, Spain. I return in 9 days and look forward to also seeing Dali’s sundial and again walking the beginning of the Paris pilgrimage to Santiago. Maybe one of these days I’ll start there. I’m glad to know about the sundial!

Leave a Reply to CLARA Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.