Sablier géant

The monumental work by Jean-Bernard Métais reinforces the cultural vocation of this space located behind the Musée de Tessé.

In June 2009, a giant hourglass, a huge, transparent cube of metal and glass by sculptor Jean-Bernard Métais, found its place in the heart of the Jardin de Tessé pond in Le Mans, on a paving slab that seems to float on the surface of the water.

It's a second life for "Temps imparti éclipse", first installed at the Jardin des plantes in Paris, near the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, to mark the eclipse in the summer of 1999. Le Mans, in the running with other major European cities, was able to acquire it after just over two years on display.

The 40 tonnes of sand flow from a height of three metres through 160 computer-controlled openings. This extremely fine white sand is brought up every six months, at the time of the solstices.