H么tel de Ville (City Hall), Versailles
The City Hall is a blend of historical significance and architectural evolution. Although the current building isn鈥檛 very old, it retains much of the charm and design of the original structure, which dates back to the late 17th century. The original building was constructed in 1670 for the Marquis de Bellefonds, Bernadin Gigault, as a beautiful chateau with expansive grounds that stretched to the edge of the gardens of the Palace of Versailles.
The chateau鈥檚 ownership changed hands several times due to various historical events and personal vendettas. When the Royal Stables were built, the marquis sold the chateau to Philippe of Lorraine, the Chevalier de Lorraine, an infamous figure known for his relationship with Philippe, Duc d鈥橭rleans, the brother of Louis XIV. However, in 1680, the Duke's wife managed to have the Chevalier imprisoned and subsequently banished, allowing Louis XIV to annex the chateau and gift it to his son, Louis de Bourbon, the Count of Vermandois. After the Count's death, his sister Marie-Anne, the Princess de Conti, inherited the chateau and used it as a venue for lavish parties that were the talk of Versailles.
The chateau鈥檚 grandeur diminished when it was sold to a speculator who stripped it of its opulent furnishings. In 1723, King Louis XV purchased the property for his Prime Minister, Louis-H茅nri de Bourbon, who renovated it and opened the grounds to the public, facilitating access between the Saint Louis and Notre Dame districts. During the French Revolution, the chateau became the temporary seat of the Town Council, a role it retained, becoming the official City Hall in 1821.
By 1899, the original building had become too small to accommodate the needs of the growing city administration. The Mayor at the time, Edouard Lefbvre, decided to demolish the old chateau and commissioned H茅nri le Grand to design and construct a new City Hall. This new building, based on the plans of the original chateau, continues to serve as a symbol of the city鈥檚 rich history and enduring architectural heritage.
The chateau鈥檚 ownership changed hands several times due to various historical events and personal vendettas. When the Royal Stables were built, the marquis sold the chateau to Philippe of Lorraine, the Chevalier de Lorraine, an infamous figure known for his relationship with Philippe, Duc d鈥橭rleans, the brother of Louis XIV. However, in 1680, the Duke's wife managed to have the Chevalier imprisoned and subsequently banished, allowing Louis XIV to annex the chateau and gift it to his son, Louis de Bourbon, the Count of Vermandois. After the Count's death, his sister Marie-Anne, the Princess de Conti, inherited the chateau and used it as a venue for lavish parties that were the talk of Versailles.
The chateau鈥檚 grandeur diminished when it was sold to a speculator who stripped it of its opulent furnishings. In 1723, King Louis XV purchased the property for his Prime Minister, Louis-H茅nri de Bourbon, who renovated it and opened the grounds to the public, facilitating access between the Saint Louis and Notre Dame districts. During the French Revolution, the chateau became the temporary seat of the Town Council, a role it retained, becoming the official City Hall in 1821.
By 1899, the original building had become too small to accommodate the needs of the growing city administration. The Mayor at the time, Edouard Lefbvre, decided to demolish the old chateau and commissioned H茅nri le Grand to design and construct a new City Hall. This new building, based on the plans of the original chateau, continues to serve as a symbol of the city鈥檚 rich history and enduring architectural heritage.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Versailles. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
H么tel de Ville (City Hall) on Map
Sight Name: H么tel de Ville (City Hall)
Sight Location: Versailles, France (See walking tours in Versailles)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Versailles, France (See walking tours in Versailles)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Versailles, France
Create Your Own Walk in Versailles
Creating your own self-guided walk in Versailles is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Versailles Introduction Walking Tour
Versailles, a wealthy suburb of Paris some 20 kilometers southwest of the capital, is steeped in grandeur and regal history. Known worldwide for its opulent palace 鈥� the residence of French royalty, this small town offers much more than just its royal gates. Versailles is a living museum of French architecture and aristocratic life and is historically known for numerous treaties signed there,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Versailles Gardens Walking Tour
Spread across a vast (800-hectare) area, the Versailles Gardens are the quintessential example of regal grandeur and meticulous French landscape design. Most of its feature areas 鈥� known as 'groves' 鈥� were created by King Louis XIV鈥檚 chief landscape architect Andr茅 Le N么tre. Key among the garden's numerous attractions is the Orangerie Fountain, which sets the tone for its... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles