Originally, a structure started in 1553 by Dominique de Cortone, known as Boccador, stood on this site. It was under Francis I that the Hôtel de Ville was rebuilt in a Renaissance style, an era where art and architecture embodied the spirit of renewal. However, tranquility was short-lived. In 1871, during the Paris Commune, the Hôtel de Ville was set ablaze by insurgents, taking with it invaluable historical treasures.
From its ashes, the Hôtel de Ville was reborn between 1873 and 1892 thanks to the architects Théodore Ballu and Édouard Deperthes. They decided to reproduce the old Renaissance structure identically, while expanding and elevating it. An anecdote tells that during the installation of the central clock, the allegorical figures of Labor and Education seemed to almost come to life under the watchful eyes of the workers, as if to watch over the City of Paris.
Over the years, the Hôtel de Ville became not only an administrative center but also a treasury of art. Artists Delacroix, Ingres, Lehmann, and Cabanel left their marks, making its walls a living museum. A famous story recalls Eugène Delacroix, overflowing with passion, arguing intensely with the architects about the best way to represent Liberty in the grand ballroom.
The Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, once known as Place de Grève, has been the stage for many dramas and celebrations. This is where Parisians gathered to witness public executions. The term “to strike” (faire grève) comes from this place, where unemployed workers assembled in search of jobs. Renamed Place de la Maison Commune during the Revolution, it became a symbol of resistance and change.
In 1977, for the first time, a mayor was elected by universal suffrage. Jacques Chirac, then mayor, transformed this place into a pedestrian zone in 1982, offering Parisians a peaceful gathering place free from vehicles.
Among the many anecdotes that pepper the history of the Hôtel de Ville, one of the most captivating is about a particular balcony. This balcony, once a witness to many official declarations, is said to have seen Victor Hugo recite a few impromptu verses during a reception in his honor. The applause from the crowd, it is said, still resonates in the Parisian air.
Another memorable event concerns the sculpture of the City of Paris, which sits atop the central clock. It is said that during its inauguration, an eccentric artist climbed up next to it, loudly proclaiming his love for the city, before being gently escorted back down by the authorities.
Ah, Paris, this city of a thousand facets, whose unchanging charm continues to captivate hearts and minds. Until 1977, our beloved capital held a unique status among other French cities. Indeed, there was no elected mayor governing Paris; this crucial role fell to the Prefect of the Seine, an imposing figure installed at the Hôtel de Ville, where the municipal council also sat. This Prefect, carefully chosen by the Government, embodied the authority and management of the city.
Yet, a new era of democracy was dawning. With the enactment of the law on December 31, 1975, a breath of modernity swept through the city. Henceforth, the mayor of Paris would be elected by indirect universal suffrage, marking a significant turning point in the governance of the capital.
Thus, in 1977, the first mayor elected by this process was Jacques Chirac. This event not only marked the advent of a new form of leadership but also symbolized a decisive step towards more representative and democratic governance of the City of Light. Since then, the Hôtel de Ville, a silent witness to these changes, continues to observe, with its eternal elegance, the evolutions that shape Paris.
The Hôtel de Ville of Paris is not just an administrative building. It is a living monument, a silent yet eloquent witness to the city’s history. Its walls, sculptures, and halls breathe history, offering each visitor a journey through time. Walking across the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, one cannot help but feel the benevolent weight of the past centuries, reminding us that we are the guardians of a precious and indelible heritage.
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