Town Hall Square

The Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville, in Paris

The Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville is a great emblematic square of Paris, dominated by the majestic town hall. The Paris audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this history-laden place, the former Place de Grève, heart of the municipal life of the capital.

The former Place de Grève and the town hall

The Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville is one of the great historic squares of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine. It is dominated by the majestic town hall, the seat of the Parisian municipality, a sumptuous neo-Renaissance building, adorned with statues and pavilions, rebuilt in the nineteenth century after the fire that ravaged the former building during the troubles of 1871. The square bears a heavy past: under the name of Place de Grève, it was for centuries the place of the public executions of the capital. It is also there that the unemployed workers came to wait for work, which gave birth to the expression faire grève (to go on strike). Today, a vast pedestrian space, the square hosts demonstrations, ceremonies and festive events. A witness of the history of Paris, the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville is an emblematic place of the town.

What to see

You admire the great historic square dominated by the majestic neo-Renaissance town hall, adorned with statues, rebuilt after the fire of 1871, the former Place de Grève with a heavy past, become a vast pedestrian space that hosts demonstrations, ceremonies and events. The Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville is an emblematic place of Paris. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville lies on the right bank of the Seine, in the heart of Paris, reachable on foot and by public transport, including the metro. It is a vast public pedestrian space freely accessible; you admire the town hall from the square, the interior access following its own conditions. It is lively according to the events and the season.

Why was the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville called Place de Grève?

Under the name of Place de Grève, it was for centuries the place of the public executions of Paris; it is also there that the unemployed workers came to wait for work, which gave birth to the expression faire grève (to go on strike).

Where is the Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville of Paris?

On the right bank of the Seine, in the heart of Paris, in France.