Published by pedmar10
I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world.
My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting.
Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers
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The Palais de Justice or courthouse at Place du Maréchal Ferdinand Foch was built from 1818-1824 in Neo Classic style. It was built due to the visit of Napoléon 1er in 1811 to Alençon.The sovereign decides the construction of the courthouse, inaugurated in 1827, after the decline of the Empire. By an edict of January 1552, King Henri II instituted the presidals, new jurisdictions whose mission had: to judge civil causes not exceeding 250 pounds in capital and serious cases, so -called provost cases, such as flights and homicides committed on the main roads, whose repression was entrusted to the provosts of the Maréchaux de France; To judge at first instance or by provision, the civil causes greater than 250 pounds in capital. The services of the former courthouse, located at Place du Palais, which became unsanitary, were transferred to the castle in 1774. The former courthouse was then bought by an individual in order to establish a theater there. The date of acquisition on September 23, 1777.
The present Hôtel de Ville or City Hall at Place du Maréchal Foch is at least the fifth building assigned to the municipal administration. In 1444, Alençon already owned a City Hall, a memory of the former town founded, it is said, by William III first Earl of Alençon, but its location is unknown. This City Hall, disappeared during the English occupation, and is restored by Louis XI in 1473 and installed in a house located in the rue aux Goguets , now current rue de l’Ancienne-Mairie which remains until around 1650, when it is transferred to Place du Palais in a house built in 1587. In 1728, a fourth building was built near the former courthouse which stood on the site of the Hotel des Postes and it was in 1783 that the foundation stone of the present City Hall was laid. It is built on the site of part of the castle, and is in 1790 that the municipal administration settles in the building whose campanile is completed in 1797. The City Hall is a classic-style, Louis XVI style freestone construction. The building curves gracefully into a circular arc and the facade, supported by pilasters, is imbued with great nobility. It is surmounted by a rectangular pediment and balustrades evoking the Petit Trianon. Inside, the staircase holds the eye and the City Hall, with its Directoire style chandelier, is remarkable. The woodwork of the salon is of the late 18C. A semicircular window, filling the middle in the place of the clock, is framed by a horizontal band while the body itself of the pyramid is decorated with garlands. The latter has been replaced by a wooden entablature garnished with zinc. Above, the lantern is crowned with a small dome surmounted by an iron flag. All different was the octagonal campanile with its arched windows, cornice and roof, the ridges of which followed the curves of the pyramid. The summit was formed by the ducal crown; in the middle rose a strongly downward Corinthian column supporting an eagle. it should be known that at the beginning, the City Hall only included the central part. It was not until 1839 and 1854 that the north and south wings, which belonged to private individuals, were acquired by the town of Alençon. Restored from 1997, the City Hall was inaugurated in 1999.
The City of Alençon on its architecture and monuments : https://alencon.fr/mes-sortiesmon-temps-libre/tourisme-et-patrimoine/monuments-et-architecture/
There you go folks, wonderful architecture and history indeed of Alençon and France. And who said, government buildings should be dull, these are nice me think. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Alençon, part II !!! as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!! 
Paris1972-Versailles2003 