Audio GuideHôtel de Ville
Neo-Renaissance administrative building with regular exhibitions & tours by appointment.
City Hall
Paris, France
Welcome to the Hôtel de Ville in the very heart of Paris. This grand city hall, rebuilt in a magnificent Renaissance Revival style after a devastating fire during the Paris Commune in eighteen seventy-one, offers a glimpse into centuries of French history. Originally established in thirteen hundred fifty-seven, the site has long served as a center of administration, witnessing events from the French Revolution and the proclamation of the Third Republic to modern celebrations.
The exterior is striking with its long central façade, impressive bell tower, and detailed sculptures representing ideas like Art and Science. Inside, the ballroom recalls the elegance of Versailles’s Hall of Mirrors, and the formal dining hall is adorned with historical frescoes that honor France’s diverse provinces and cultural heritage.
Notable figures, from Queen Victoria to Charles de Gaulle, have graced its halls over time. Situated in Paris’s fourth arrondissement, Hôtel de Ville stands as both a working seat of government and a monument celebrating Parisian history. Guided tours and regular exhibitions invite foreign visitors to experience the vibrant stories woven into the fabric of this iconic building.
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