Hôtel de Ville

This is the city hall of Paris. It's in the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville in the Esplanade de la Libération in the 4th arrondissement. The mayor's house used to be the city hall, but in 1357, the mayor moved the town hall to this place. In 1533, they built the king built the town hall here.

Beautiful architecture of Paris City Hall. Sad that it rained but I'm glad that it gave a unique mood to the picture.

"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...

Unsure if you could go inside, but found ourselves walking by this place many times. The benches lining the courtyard of the Hotel de Ville are filled with people sitting and enjoying a sunny afternoon in Paris. I learned later that the Hôtel de Ville was originally built in 1357 but was rebuilt after a fire destroyed it. It was rebuilt in the 1870's in the Renaissance style that were the same sort of styles as the Loire Valley Chateaux. We would stop and watch the performers do magic tricks, acrobatics, blow bubbles and play music for coins and tips. Little kids playing with the bubbles trying to pop them made a great backdrop and location to stop and enjoy our gelato. Incredible architecture and close to the Notre Dame and the La Siene river, so stop by and check out the Hôtel de Ville.

A cool place to relax and watch the outdoor performers by standing up or sitting on the wooden railroad ties. It's a very open area, and if it's sunny outside, all the better! The view of the historic government buildings is amazing, it really is hard to believe how old this place is.

5 stars for the Haute Couture exhibition!!! This was awesome... I have never been so close to haute couture! Make sure that you go early to avoid a line, because it gets really long! The actual exhibition doesn't take that long to get through, so you don't have to allow yourself a ton of time. If you love fashion, go to this!!! This is fashion as art. I really loved this.

I didn't go in, so this is just based on the outside, which was fantastic! There were these awesome avant-guarde chairs on which people were sunning themselves and OMG a really really cool outdoor wooden dinning set (all one piece) - why can't Belgium have stuff like this? The juxtaposition of all this modern furniture in front of a 17th century (assuming this?) building was real cool and of course being just across from the Seine, you felt the cool river breezes. Loved the area - just a beautiful urban quirky spot to people watch, eat food on the go or just even chill.

As the city hall in center of Paris, the building is no doubt full of history. I also like the architecture style quite alot. Full of detail to dig into. It is quite easy to get to this place. The metro station just next by. Literally when you get out of the metro station, you are already there. I am not sure about their visit hour. But if you got the chance for it. Why not.

Impressive It is every bit as impressive as we thought it would be. Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to go inside, but seeing it in person was worth the short time spent.

Hotel de Ville is the patriarchal expression of grandeur in Paris. This stunning architectural masterpiece is just across the bridge from Cathédrale Notre-Dame and opens up to the colorful and vivacious Marais neighborhood.

Hotel de Ville is the city hall building and also a very beautiful one. Though we did not enter, just standing outside to admire the architecture and its facade is something that is worth doing. The carvings and stonework are highly detailed with the figures. Stop by on the way to Le Marais.

This is a classic Landmark in Paris and I find a good location to start your visit wherever you're heading next. It's a stone throw from the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, even closer to Notre Dame and then St Michel, or go towards the Marais. Unfortunately Christmas is a very busy time and there was at least an hour's queue to go see the Photo Exhibition held at the time so we couldn't get in.

This is an epic building when you think about it. For some reason it doesn't strike you instantly but just take a good look. No wonder it took 95 years to build first time around (was burnt to a shell by extremists in 1871). Even rebuilding, in the late 19th century, took 19 years. It's not really even one of the major buildings that you go to Paris to see. Maybe it should be, maybe there is just too much choice though. There is often something going on in the square outside this building. I'm pretty sure I saw an ice rink one winter. There is usually something, anyway. I suppose the only negative point, and I'm really stretching to find one here, is that there isn't much in the way of cafes or bars around the place. But they'd probably be horribly busy anyway and their primary objective would be to fleece gullible tourists, so perhaps things are better as they are.

Was very cold outside so didn't get to stay long but could see the importance and history just by walking around the building. Def a top ten for anyone visiting Paris. Also across the street nice little wine bar to warm up in.

The Hotel de Ville pretty much in the centre of Paris near Chatalet and St. Michel. The building is very pretty, it is quite over the top French style but I liked it. There are often events or activities located in front of the building such as screenings of sport matches or ice-skating in the winter months. There is always quite a nice lively atmosphere around here as it is in the middle of Le Marais and St. Michel. The museum at the back of the building sometimes has great exhibitions on which are normally free, though you may have to queue on weekends to get in.