Town hall square, Square and parvis in Paris, France
The Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville is a large open square in central Paris, situated directly in front of the historic City Hall building. The space was recently replanted with an urban forest made up of maples, oaks, and other species, arranged in four groves separated by pedestrian paths.
This square served for centuries as the central point for public gatherings in Paris, including executions and political rallies. Over time it shifted from a place of state power to an open civic space used by all residents.
The Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville has long been a gathering point for Parisians from all parts of the city. During events like Nuit Blanche, the space fills with light installations and open-air performances that anyone can walk through for free.
The square is easy to reach on foot and sits close to the Seine and several metro stations. During large events it can get very crowded, so visiting on a weekday or early in the morning tends to be quieter.
Some of the trees planted in the new urban forest came from nurseries in Germany and the Netherlands and had already been transplanted several times before arriving here. This process helps them establish more easily once planted, because their roots are already used to being moved.
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