Hôtel de ville de Colmar, town hall in Colmar, France
The Hôtel de ville de Colmar is a historic government building in the town center featuring neoclassical architecture from the late 1700s. It has two floors with a simple, symmetrical stone facade, columns, and a triangular pediment displaying the town's coat of arms.
The building dates back to 1775 when the Pairis Abbey purchased a property on Rue des Clefs and constructed a new building designed by architect Gabriel-Ignace Ritter. After the French Revolution, it was confiscated in 1790 and first served as a prefecture before becoming the town hall in 1866.
The town hall serves the local community as a place for important life events like marriages and official procedures. Each year, ceremonies take place in the inner courtyard to honor those who died in wars, keeping the town's shared history alive.
A modern extension built in 1982 provides better public access with clear entrances for administrative procedures. The building is easily located in the town center and accessible on foot, while the historic facade can be viewed from the street.
King Charles X stayed here for two days in 1828 and the town prepared an elaborate reception with temporary interior modifications that were completely reversed afterward. The bronze triton figures in the inner courtyard remain mysterious, as their precise meaning has never been fully explained.
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