L'Hôtel de Ville is the headquarters for the City of Light since 1357. L'Hôtel de Ville de Paris is one of the biggest municipal building in Europe.
But the actual building with its Renaissance Revival architecture, which you have in front of you, was constructed in 1882.
On the frontage you will notice statues of important people for the story of the city of Paris:
- Artists such as Eugène Delacroix (famous for his painting of the epitome of the French Revolution Liberty Leading the People "la liberté guidant le peuple"), André le Nôtre (garden landscaper of Louis XIV), Charles Perrault (fairytale writer of "Little Red Riding Hood"), Molière (Louis XIV comedy author and actor), Voltaire (philosopher renown for the "Age of Enlightenment")
- Scientists such as Antoine Lavoisier (chemist known as "the father of modern chemistry)
- Politicians such as Richelieu (1st minister of Louis XIII in 1620, whom inspired the story of "The 3 Musketeers" written by Alexandre Dumas in 1844)
On the square in front of Paris City Hall you will find lots of events to attend and enjoy during your Erasmus. Ice skating rink during winter, beach volley-ball during summer, football games and theatre projections, live musical performances on stage… are just a sample of activities that you can enjoy at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville!
A sample of Paris City Hall – Hôtel de Ville de Paris:
How to get to Hôtel de Ville: Place de l'Hôtel de Ville 75004 Paris
- M1-11 Hôtel de Ville
Bus: 38-67-69-75-76-96
Vélib' (City Bike): 4017 Hôtel de Ville – 4018 Saint Bon – 4016 Lobau
Noctilien (Night Bus): N11-N15-N16-N21-N22-N24
- Maps: