Paris' Hôtel de Ville (also mentioned here) stands on the aptly named Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. Pedestrianized since 1982, this large and beautiful Parisian square is now the venue of choice for numerous events for locals and tourists alike. Transformed into a skating rink in winter, a venue for major sporting events such as the Football World Cup, or a concert venue in summer for the Fnac Live festival, it's always lively and knows how to bring the crowds together.
But if we go back several centuries, there's no soccer or skating rink in this part of Paris, but rather a sandy wasteland - in other words, a strike. In 1141, Louis VII Le Jeune sold the land to the merchants who transported their goods on the Seine, and very quickly a flurry of small ports, grouped together under the name of Port de Grève, sprang up on the banks of the river, replacing the Port Saint-Landry on theÎle de la Cité, which had become too small. Hay, wheat, salt, coal, wine and wood were unloaded all day long.
Because of the proximity of the Port de Grève and all the goods transiting through it, a public market was created: the Place de Grève, the workplace of many Parisians without a permanent job. In those days, it was easy to find work for the day if you went to the Place de Grève early in the morning. For the record, the expression "faire grève/se mettre en grève", before meaning "to stop working", actually meant "to stand on the Place de Grève waiting for work"!
Until 1648, Midsummer's Day fire was held every year on the Place de Grève. And on this occasion, a very strange and downright creepy ceremony took place! A basket containing cats was placed on top of the faggots and branches ready to be burned. The king would then light the fire, burning the cats alive to the clamor of the crowd gathered in the square.
Darker still, the Place de Grève was long the site of public executions. The first were held in 1310: Marguerite Porette and a priest were sent to the stake for heresy. In 1610, Ravaillac was drawn and quartered for assassinating Henri IV. And in 1680, Catherine Deshayes, the notorious poisoner behind the Poisons affair, was burnt alive for witchcraft. In the 18th century, executions continued on the Place de Grève. It was here that the first guillotine execution took place in 1792! It is said that the crowd was disappointed by the speed of the execution. From 1832, executions were no longer held on Place de Grève, but on rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques.
Under the Second Empire, Baron Haussmann enlarged the square, giving it the appearance we know today. In 1803, it was definitively renamed Place de l'Hôtel de Ville. In 2013, the words"Esplanade de la Libération" were added to "Place de l'Hôtel de Ville" to pay tribute to the Resistance fighters, the Free French, the Allies and all the insurgents who liberated Paris on the night of August 24-25, 1944.
Now that you know its history, you'll never look at Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in the same way again!
During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Hôtel de Ville, which is already hosting a whole host of events, is being transformed to host the start of the marathon.
The Place de l'Hôtel de Ville is also taking part in the festivities, hosting the Terrasse des Jeux: a festive venue where the public can meet the athletes and take part in sports activities for all ages.
La Terrasse des Jeux at Hôtel de Ville: the sports and party spot for the Olympics in the heart of Paris
It's in the heart of the capital, on the Hôtel de Ville forecourt, that the Terrasse des Jeux is setting up to bring you the festivities of summer 2024, from July 14 to September 8, 2024. This site, branded "Club 2024" by the Paris Olympic Games organizing committee, promises competitions and celebrations, offering a free platform accessible to all. [Read more]
The program of events to be experienced on the Place de l'Hôtel de Ville during these Paris 2024 Olympic Games:
Athletics and marathon running, king disciplines at the Olympic Games... And the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are no exception to the rule! Combining throws, jumps, runs... athletics is also the discipline of all records, with great champions who have the history of their performance. Find out everything there is to know about these disciplines for the Games! [Read more]
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, the Paris Games will draw to a close with the final sporting events. Among them, the women's and men's marathon, but also, the marathon for all, the only event in the history of the Games to be open to the general public. [Read more]
On Saturday, August 10, 2024, more than 20,000 runners will set off on the marathon for all course from 9pm. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, amateur runners will be able to start on the Olympic circuit during this major sporting event. [Read more]
Among long-distance running enthusiasts, there's one bib that's been catching everyone's eye for the past few years: that of the Marathon pour Tous, the very first to offer amateurs like you and me the chance to run on the Olympic circuit. To get to the bottom of this legendary race, however, a little course analysis is in order. [Read more]
Calling all running enthusiasts: the Marathon pour Tous is now recruiting pacemakers! [Read more]
For the first time, amateur runners will be able to run an Olympic marathon, the Marathon pour Tous, on the same course as the athletes, during the Paris 2024 Games. When will it take place, at what time, what's the route, find out all the latest information about the event! [Read more]
Maurice Sfez Café, Moïse Sfez's sweet and savoury coffee shop
A new year and a new address for Moïse Sfez, who opens Maurice Sfez Café in the Marais district, a sweet and savory coffee shop where you can wolf down Liège waffles and indecent egg and cheese. [Read more]
Restaurants in the 4th arrondissement of Paris: Where to eat in the district? Our best addresses
Enjoy a gourmet break at one of the finest restaurants in Paris' 4th arrondissement! Follow the guide to discover our best addresses, our latest discoveries and our favorites! [Read more]
Panozzi, Italian street-food sandwiches filled with the finest ingredients
At Panozzi, panozzo sandwiches come in all shapes and sizes, in a multitude of original and tasty recipes. [Read more]
Bombance, the Marais' finest bistronomic discovery
Bombance, a bistronomic restaurant in the Marais district of Paris, is a delightful discovery, with well-thought-out, well-crafted dishes! [Read more]
Tour Saint-Jacques, the ancient bell tower with its sublime view over Paris, open from May to November
The Tour Saint-Jacques and its panoramic view over the whole of Paris is open to visitors from May 17 to November 10, 2024. Located just a stone's throw from the Hôtel de Ville, this historic monument is a sight to behold, with its 62 meters and 300 steps. Tours are available in small groups. [Read more]
The Joke: a comedy club created by Baptiste Lecaplain in central Paris
The Joke, opened in 2022, is a comedy club created by comedian Baptiste Lecaplain . In an elegant, intimate setting, stand-up professionals and new faces alike can be discovered in Paris's 4th arrondissement. [Read more]
Lafayette Anticipations: opening hours, prices... everything you need to know about the contemporary art foundation
For art lovers, the Lafayette Anticipations Foundation awaits you every day of the week to show you its exhibitions and space. Opening times, prices, practical information... we've got it all! [Read more]
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the must-see Parisian museum dedicated to design and fashion
Just a stone's throw from the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre Pyramid, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs occupies the Rohan and Marsan wings of the Palais du Louvre, with permanent collections and temporary exhibitions that are a must-see for all Paris design enthusiasts. [Read more]
Cartel Comedy Club: the new comedy club in the heart of Paris
The Cartel Comedy Club is one of the new addresses to discover in Paris. Nestled in the heart of the capital, a stone's throw from Hôtel de Ville, Cartel Comedy Club is also a bar and restaurant. [Read more]
"Paris!" the free immersive exhibition at Hôtel de Ville, new slots available
Discover the many facets of Paris at an exceptional exhibition at the Hôtel de Ville? Until October 19, 2024, we're off to discover the Paris City Hall event exhibition named: "Paris!" the capital presents itself to the world! New slots are available, so it's time to (re)discover Paris, its wealth, its culture, its events, its tragedies and everything that makes it who it is. [Read more]
"Weekend Brunch" is the all-inclusive buffet menu with over 70 recipes, drinks and cocktails.
For your brunch, make way for a choice of over 70 specialities: sweet, savoury, delicacies, cocktails (with and without alcohol), drinks... it's a gourmet's paradise. Every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday. Reduced rate! Brunch on New Year's Day, January 1: Book now! [Read more]
Gold Rush: our photos from the free amusement park at Lafayette Anticipations - last days
To coincide with the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lafayette Anticipations invites you to discover its summer exhibition, La Ruée vers l'or, from June 22 to September 1, 2024. An artistic leisure park with free, open access, imagined by students in the vocational stream at the Lycée Alfred Nobel in Clichy-sous-Bois, also on offer at the Atelier Médicis in Clichy-sous-Bois from June 1 to July 27, 2024. We visited this artistic park, and tell you all about it (and take advantage of the last few days to have a look around)! [Read more]
La Terrasse des Jeux hosts the Marathon pour Tous: the program of free events
This weekend of August 10 and 11, 2024, the famous Terrasse des Jeux at Hôtel de Ville is transformed into a lively and festive venue for the long-awaited Marathon pour tous. Discover the program for these two lively days of free and open access, which conclude with the broadcast of the closing ceremony. [Read more]
Location
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville
75004 Paris 4
Prices
Free
La Terrasse des Jeux at Hôtel de Ville: the sports and party spot for the Olympics in the heart of Paris
Paris 2024 Olympics: history, events, Olympic venue... athletics and para-athletics at the Games
Olympic Games 2024: the marathon medal for all unveiled in broad daylight
Marathon pour tous: our tips for preparing for the race
Marathon pour tous: our analysis of the race route from Paris to the Château de Versailles
Marathon pour Tous: become a pacemaker on the legendary race of the Paris 2024 Olympics
Date, route, news: everything you need to know about the Marathon pour Tous, a first-of-its-kind race for the Paris Olympics
