City Hall

Reims City Hall, the pride of its citizens

The people of Reims like to say they own one of the finest city halls in France. Imposing and richly wrought, the building dominates its square and embodies the continuity of municipal life over centuries. The Reims audio-guided tour stops here to tell of a building that, behind its majestic façade, has known many ordeals.

A construction beset with setbacks

The first stone was laid in 1627, on the spot where the town council had already sat since 1499. The project was entrusted to the city architect, Jean Bonhomme. For lack of funding, the work dragged on, and the building only gradually took on the scale we know today. Like much of Reims, it would later suffer the destruction of the Great War before being restored.

What to see

The façade, ornate and crowned with a pediment, is one of the finest examples of the city's civil architecture. It overlooks a vast square that hosts many Reims events. Taking the time to look at the carved details, you measure the care given to this symbol of municipal power, carefully restored after the wars.

Practical information

City Hall stands on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, in the heart of Reims, reachable on foot. It is above all a working administrative building: the façade and the square can be freely admired, but access inside depends on ongoing business and possible openings during heritage events. To visit, it is best to enquire with the city or the tourist office.

When was Reims City Hall built?

Its first stone was laid in 1627, on a site that had housed the town council since 1499; for lack of funds, the work was spread over time.

Can you visit City Hall?

The façade and the square can be freely seen; access inside, an administrative building, depends on occasional openings, notably during heritage events: enquire beforehand.