On the Place Ducale (Ducal square), the carillon of Charleville-Mézières' town hall has rythmed the inhabitants' life since 1842. Every half hour, it plays the melody of the Chant du départ (Song of departure). The patriotic song, sometimes considered a second La Marseillaise, was composed in 1794 by Étienne Nicolas Méhul, born in the Ardennes department. It is played by ten bells melted in the region, standing in the 121 ft (37 m) town hall's belfry.