Paris1972-Versailles2003

I came here first on business and discovered one of the off the beaten path of the Île de France region and just over the Seine river, There were memorable times and of course took the family here too for sights and eat out, there are still many places where they don’t show up at least not much in my belle France. Levallois-Perret is in the Hauts-de-Seine dept 92 of the Île de France region of my belle France, I, once again in my diehard search found me pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, let me tell you a bit on the Hôtel de Ville of Levallois-Perret !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

On Sunday, March 27, 1898, the new Hôtel de Ville or City Hall was finally inaugurated , The City Hall resembles that of Paris and all those dating from the same period: a building with a high slate roof, preceded by a wide staircase, surmounted by a lantern overlooking the obligatory clock. The whole thing, facing Neuilly and Clichy, is intended to clearly assert the strength and importance of the city. This is undoubtedly what led to adopt the Louis XIV style, considered more majestic, instead of the Renaissance style favored in the new city halls, both of which were, moreover, very approximate… From its construction, the City Hall appeared as we see it today. Above the steps, a ground floor lined with partitions, pierced by three bays crowned with clasps sculpted with Neptune, Ceres and Hercules, surmounted by the motto Liberty-Equality-Fraternity. The bays are closed by large wrought iron grilles, with gilded LP ornaments and monograms. Also gilded are the lanterns that separate them, and suspended from very ornate brackets, decorated with the republican rooster. The noble floor of this central avant-corps, punctuated by Ionic columns, opens with tall windows with molded frames and is crowned with a wide, highly decorated cornice. On the high slate roof stand out dormers with sculpted frames, fire pots and children carrying shields stamped with Pax and Labor.

Upon entering the City/Town Hall, one enters the wide hall, punctuated by large columns of sarancolin stucco imitating porphyry. It is lit by three large Louis XV style bronze lanterns. This is where the mayor’s office opens, indicated by a door with an architectural frame. From the hall, the Main Staircase begins, with its Louis XV wrought iron banister, enhanced with copper ornaments, made, like the gates. The staircase is classically composed of a straight flight dividing into two ascents on either side of a landing and is lit, on the inner courtyard, by three large bays decorated with decorative stained glass windows, where the LP monogram returns as a leitmotif. The stained glass window in the center bears the coat of arms of the city. In the 1920s, the city decided to complete the decoration of the staircase ceiling. In 1926, is painted an allegory of Liberty, a strong woman freeing herself from her chains and veils. She is accompanied by other vigorous nudes, notably a genius bringing ears of wheat and bunches of grapes. On the side panels, blacksmiths (work) and Pegasus (poetry). Upstairs, the staircase landing communicates, through bays framed by Ionic pilasters, with a gallery covered with a row of domes and arches of false mosaics, symmetrical to the design of the real mosaics on the floor. The clock has a dial 1.80 meters in diameter framed by sculptures. Above, a woman with a child symbolizes the city. Below, the figures of Industry, symbolized by a woman, and Commerce, in the guise of Mercury, are seated. The whole is underlined by the inscription Anno 1898. The clock is connected on the one hand to three bells, striking the quarter hours and the hours and, originally, to a carillon, sadly since disappeared, whose system of spiked rollers triggered hammers striking the tubes. The carillon could thus play the Marseillaise, the Russian anthem, the Arlésienne, Ma Normandie and the Carnival of Venice. Also equipped with a keyboard, it allowed a musician to play the tunes of their choice. Finally, the building is topped with the traditional lantern, also featuring balconies, columns, and decorated bull’s-eye windows. Covered in hammered red copper, it has now acquired a beautiful green patina and still dominates the rooftops of Levallois from a height of 51 meters,

The Hôtel de Ville main room is 44 meters long, 12 meters wide, and 14,5 meters high, they occupy the entire length of the facade and are the largest seen in town halls built during this period. They consist of a central nave and two salons, separated by basket-handle arches. The decoration combines sculpted moldings, gold, faux marble, female masks, staff frames, and more. On the walls, gilded frames, topped with sculpted vases overflowing with flowers, enclose wall panels with trellises from which birds and plump cupids take flight, symbolizing the seasons, hunting, and music. The eye is drawn to the vault decorated with a stunning composition. For its Salons d’Honneur, the mayor wanted a style that resolutely evoked celebration. The astonishing trompe-l’oeil, in the Louis XIV style, with glue. In the three central compartments, while awaiting the paintings that would later adorn them, was created the same skies, which can be seen in old engravings and some vestiges of which were found during the restoration in 1986. In the 1910s, a painter whose name remains unknown was called upon for the central nave of the Salons d’Honneur. In the central panel, he executed an allegory of the Republic, supported by a figure in a Phrygian cap symbolizing the Fatherland. Below, the City of Levallois-Perret, another female figure, is represented between fields and trees on one side, and factories and workers on the other. On the left, there is a genius brandishing a banner marked Honor, a Roman legionary symbolizing History and Justice, in an ermine cloak, with a sword and scales, leaning on a lion. The side panels, by the same artist, symbolize Work on one side, and Family on the other.

The two side ceilings of the salle des fêtes or function room will be completed a little later and will be more focused on imagery, whose sentimentality and clumsiness do not exclude a true freshness of inspiration. They seem to represent, on either side, the Republic giving the signal for the celebration. Finally, twelve chandeliers illuminate this majestic ensemble. Showing gravity for the decor of the salle du Conseil municipal or municipal council room. Its main decoration lies in three large stained glass windows. The first is dedicated to Agriculture, with peasants on the banks of the Seine watching a cart loaded with bales. The second, dedicated to Science and the Arts, presents a gathering of women laden with various symbolic attributes. The third evokes Commerce and Industry, bringing together a boat, a carpet merchant, blacksmiths and factory chimneys. The edges of the glass windows bring together the names of the many and varied trades of the Levallois-Perret of that time: brush makers, mechanics, lantern makers, luthiers, weavers, earthenware makers, coopers, carpenters, shoemakers, packers, embroiderers, balancers, gardeners, blacksmiths, brewers, etc. A range of professions which shows that industry and crafts had already taken their place in the city. The municipal Council room is surmounted by a coffered ceiling with, in its compartments, shields with emblems representing the trades, painted, like the allegorical compositions framing the windows, on mounted canvas and not on leather, as has sometimes been said. On three sides of the room, very large stands allowing the presence of a large number of Levalloisiens (local folks).

The city of Levallois-Perret on its heritage : https://www.ville-levallois.fr/decouvrir-levallois/patrimoines-et-monuments/

The city of Levallois-Perret on its history : https://www.ville-levallois.fr/decouvrir-levallois/histoire-de-levallois/

There you go folks, another dandy right next to Paris so easy to get to and see something different of my belle France. Again, hop you enjoy this post on the Hôtel de Ville of Levallois-Perret !!! as I.

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