VA021 Guided tour of the Hôtel de Ville of Paris — Power, Revolution, and Reinvention

This free tour will last approximately 1-1.5 hours. In order to comply with the Hôtel's security policy, registration will be closed and finalized one week before the tour, 26 March 2026.

Step inside the political heart of Paris and discover a building that has witnessed nearly every turning point in contemporary French history.

The Hôtel de Ville, Paris’s city hall, is far more than an administrative building — it is the stage on which revolutions were declared, governments fell, and the modern French Republic was shaped. From medieval uprisings to the Paris Commune, the square outside has repeatedly become the gathering place of the people of Paris.

The building you see today is not the original. During the Paris Commune in 1871, the Hôtel de Ville burned for days, destroying archives, artworks, and centuries of memory. The current structure is a faithful reconstruction completed in 1882 — but its interior decoration reflects the ideals of the newly established Republic rather than the monarchy.

During this guided visit in English, we will explore the extraordinary ceremonial interiors usually hidden behind its grand Renaissance façade: monumental staircases, gilded salons, vast reception halls, and hundreds of statues honoring the great figures of France. Along the way, we’ll uncover the symbols embedded in the décor — a visual language of power, civic pride, and political messaging.