The 100 Days

Welcome to the vast, bustling expanse of the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, the indisputable civic heart of Paris. As you stand upon these pale paving stones, looking up at the extravagantly ornate, neo-Renaissance façade of the city…

Let us examine the origins of the civic power structure in Paris. By the mid-fourteenth century, the powerful guild of the water merchants, led by the Provost of the Merchants, Étienne Marcel, required a headquarters commensurate…

Move toward the center of the square, and let us confront the darkest chapter of this location's history. When the French Revolution erupted in 1789, the Place de Grève and the Hôtel de Ville naturally became its epicenter. …

Let us shift our focus to the early nineteenth century and the extraordinary geopolitical earthquake known as the '100 Days.' To understand the resonance of this period in Paris, we must set the stage. By 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte…

Step back to take in the sheer scale of the building, because we must now recount its utter destruction. By 1871, Paris was a city traumatized. …

Examine the intricate stonework of the façade closely. Every statue, every column, every dormer window you see is the result of one of the most ambitious reconstruction projects of the late nineteenth century. …

Let us turn away from the grand façade and look toward the River Seine, specifically toward the Pont d'Arcole. The urban geography surrounding the Hôtel de Ville has been radically altered to facilitate connection and control. …

As we conclude our immersive journey in the shadow of the Hôtel de Ville, let us pause and take in the vibrant, modern life of the square. Today, the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is a space of celebration and civic engagement. …