Eric R.
Yelp
"While I thought that I was learning how to live, I have been learning how to die." - Leonardo Da Vinci
Hôtel de Ville de Paris is filled with lots of history, yet it never made my bucket list. Serendipity brought me here. And I am glad my serendipity magic still shines!
I walked over to Hôtel de Ville de Paris to pickup my Paris Museum Pass. As the main Paris Tourism Office is located here, but do you believe in ghosts?
As I approached Hôtel de Ville de Paris I realized how stunning it was in person. I guess, as a History Romantic, I was somewhat leery with the re-construction done in the 1800's. Realize the original building dated to 1357 and expanded from the 1500's - 1600's and remained intact in it's Renaissance splendor. Sadly, during the Paris Commune, in the 1800's, it was burned down by angry revolutionists. And the ghosts?
Today, what you see is Renaissance Revival built in the 1800's after the original architectural design centuries earlier. You would never know the difference unless you read up about it. It's a majestic building that was built for Kings. Today it serves the government of France, including housing the Mayor of Paris. I also noticed a Post Office, and of course the Paris Tourism Office.
However, although it's a architectural masterpiece, I have to warn you of a darkness I felt too. When I delved further into the history here, I found it was also the Medieval gathering spot for public hangings, beheadings, to quartering by horses (torn apart), and later execution by guillotine. Gory executions were routinely carried out on the square and treated as fascinating spectacles by Medieval Parisians. Accused Witches were burned at the stake well into the Renaissance Era. I could feel the overwhelming sorrow.. the pain.
In the end, I recommend visiting Hôtel de Ville de Paris in the 4th Arrondissement. It's the pinnacle of Renaissance Revival, yet with a dark storied past. I knew there was more to the story as I walked the grounds. The ghosts of centuries past were whispering to me the story of Once Upon a Time in Paris! The joys of a History Romantic are not always about love and chocolates...