Hôtel de Ville de Paris

Hôtel de Ville de Paris

The Hôtel de Ville de Paris has been the seat of Paris’s government since 1357. Situated in the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville in the 4th arrondissement, it serves a variety of purposes: as a local administration center, the office of the Mayor of Paris, and a location for grand receptions. It is a renowned example of French Renaissance architecture. In 1533, King Francis I decided to build a fitting town hall for Paris, which was then the largest city in Europe and the Christian world. However, construction was not completed until 1628, during the reign of Louis XIII.

The Hôtel de Ville de Paris is a significant witness to history. During the French Revolution, it was the stage for several notable events: on July 14, 1789, Jacques de Flesselles, the provost of the merchants who refused to provide weapons, was killed by an angry mob; on July 27, 1794, during the Thermidorian Reaction, Robespierre was shot in the jaw and arrested along with his followers at the Hôtel de Ville. Finally, in 1835, under the initiative of Count de Rambuteau, the Prefect of the Seine, two wings were added to the main building, connected to the facade by galleries, providing more space for the expanded city administration. During the Franco-Prussian War, the building played a pivotal role when revolutionaries stormed and occupied the Hôtel de Ville and the Government of National Defense, demanding the establishment of a government supportive of the Paris Commune. The government managed to rescue the soldiers who had entered the Hôtel de Ville through an underground tunnel connecting it to a nearby barracks.

Hôtel de Ville

Why Go: One of the must-visit attractions in Paris

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: France[France]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Île-de-France Region [Ile-de-France Region]

City where the attraction is located: Paris [Paris]