Paris1972-Versailles2003

Seldom folks go to see government buildings ,however, in France that should be an exception. Some of these city/town halls are a work of art and full of history. The one in my dear Versailles is one of the best and worth the detour to see it. I have written before on it, but found new pictures not yet on my blog and feel they should be.  Therefore, let me tell you a bit more on the Hôtel de Ville of Versailles, exteriors !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I

The seasons came and gone, and I still remember the errands on the city /town hall of Versailles or mairie or Hôtel de Ville as it is known in Versailles. This is a lot more than a government building ,it has a wonderful history, and it is very well kept inside and beautiful. I must add that even when not doing official business, I would go inside just to marvel of its beautiful architecture. It is central straight ahead is the Palace of Versailles ! Built under king Louis XIV, the core of the current city/town hall was the much-loved home of his natural daughter, the Princess of Conti. It later passed under king Louis XV to Louis IV Henri de Bourbon-Condé, Duke of Bourbon, Grand Master of his House.

So many older locals still call it the palace of Conti, proud that our city hall was a royal palace and with lots of tradition. The 
Hôtel de Ville is at the intersection of Ave de Paris and Ave du Gen De Gaulle , up from the rive gauche-château or left bank castle  REC C train station and  less than 300 meters from the  Château de Versailles. On the right side facing the Ave du Gen de Gaulle there is a huge memorial to the fallen wall. The front of the Hôtel de Ville is magnificent ,

It was in 1670 that the current building at 4 avenue de Paris was built, a very beautiful residence whose gardens extend to the park of the castle. Opposite it, on the other side of the avenue, the Hôtel du Grand Veneur, which no longer exists, gives it the replica with equal magnificence. Like the Princess of Conti, the Duc de Bourbon organizes in its bosom of sumptuous receptions. He even opened the gardens to the public to facilitate communication between the booming Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame districts.

Unoccupied during the French revolution, in January 1790 the hotel temporarily housed the town of Versailles, which until then had been housed in the former royal furniture store, currently no, 11 rue des Reservoirs. In 1821, the extension of rue Royale towards avenue de Paris also dates from this period. The building, whose entrance is via avenue de Berry (now avenue du Général de Gaulle), is adorned with a steeple surmounted by a clock. In 1859, the city officially became the owner of the hotel. Woodwork from this period is preserved in the modern part of the building. The one, which faces the avenue de Paris, is an imposing neo-Louis XIII building dating from 1897-1900, The city/town hall was inaugurated on November 18, 1900. It is surmounted by a campanile dominating the city and now opens onto the avenue de Paris around a main courtyard surrounded by gates. In 1945, the building lost its campanile, considered too high, while the gates of the main courtyard disappeared.

.A bit of history I like tell us that it’s in 1670, on the initiative of Bernardin Gigault de Bellefonds ,Marshal of France , Governor of the kennels and the Louveterie of the king, which rises in the present 4  Avenue de Paris, a beautiful mansion whose gardens extend to the park of the Castle!. But the construction work of the Royal Stables (present-day National School of Architecture of Versailles) depriving the marshal of his royal perspective, he sells his hotel to the Knights of Lorraine. King Louis XIV acquired it in 1680 for Louis de Bourbon, Count of Vermandois, his legitimate son, who died prematurely three years later.  When the count died , the mansion became the home of his sister Marie-Anne, the Princess de Conti, who used it for great parties that were the toast of Versailles and that is why it was known as the palace of Conti!. Louis de Bourbon and Marie-Anne were Louis XIV children by his mistress Louise de la Vallière.

The hotel was finally bought in 1723 by Louis XV to house Louis IV Henri de Bourbon-Condé, Duke of Bourbon, Grand master of his house. Important works of decoration, where painters and sculptors compete in creativity and virtuosity, are undertaken under the direction of Robert de Cotte, the first architect of the king and disciple of Mansart. Like the princess of Conti, the duke de Bourbon organizes in his midst lavish receptions. It even opens the gardens to the public to facilitate communication between the thriving  Saint-Louis and Notre-Dame neighbourhoods! The newer story  will tell you the city hall or Hôtel de Ville of today came from an order to have one in 1897 and finally done on November 18, 1900. However, it goes back way back on its history as a building

The City of Versailles  on the City history: https://www.versailles.fr/65/decouvrir-versailles

The Versailles Tourist office on the hôtel de ville: https://en.versailles-tourisme.com/city-hall.html

There you go folks, a wonderful building of the history of Versailles, and France. Like ,I said, worth the detour indeed and just steps from the magnificent Palace of Versailles, and just around the corner from the train station RER C Rive Gauche-Château.  My kind of town, memories forever, Versailles !! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Hôtel de Ville of Versailles, exteriors !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!