In September, the Heritage Days give you the chance to discover the capital’s nuggets: hidden libraries, official venues like the Comédie-Française, and so on. This time, we’re taking you on a tour of a little-known venue that, believe us, is well worth the detour: the Hôtel de Ville in the 8ᵉ arrondissement. A splendid mansion, with well-preserved Second Empire decor, far less well known than the Hôtel de Ville de Paris… And you’ll see, between its magnificent architecture and its secret salons, you’re in for a real treat!
The Hôtel de Ville in the 8ᵉ arrondissement: the most beautiful town hall in Paris?
Built in 1865 by architect Albert Labouret, this remarkable town hall was at the time owned by industrialist Jean-François Cail. But in 1926, it was sold by his descendants to the city of Paris, which immediately placed the town hall of the 8ᵉ arrondissement here.
While its exterior façade appears far more sober than that of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris, you’ll see that inside, it’s another world that’s been thriving for over 100 years. This jewel of the Second Empire style has stood the test of time with elegance, while retaining its refined, intricately detailed décor.
With its marble staircase , mosaic flooring and gilded walls and ceilings, it’s almost as if you were in a princely palace or a museum.
Second Empire decor perfectly preserved in Paris
During your visit, you’ll discover a number of beautiful rooms, including the richly decorated wedding hall (formerly the grand salon of the hôtel particulier). The cochere vault, composed of a series of Corinthian columns, is an outstanding example of the Second Empire architectural style. The entire interior decoration was entrusted to sculptor Pierre-Edouard Charnier. Part of the magnificence of the Louvre Museum is due to his work… Which just goes to show the historical importance of this place.
This little-known Parisian town hall is well worth a visit. Open on September 20 and 21, from 2pm to 6pm, the waiting time to visit is relatively short. So take all the time you need to admire its treasures. There’s no need to register in advance for a free tour: just turn up on the day you want, from 2 p.m. onwards.
📍 Location: 3 rue de Lisbonne, 75008 Paris
🕑 Times: 2 pm to 6 pm
💸 Price: free