Hôtel de Ville Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Hôtel de Ville. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Paris Top Sights Half-Day Walking Tour with a Fun Guide
• Bateaux Parisiens Seine River Gourmet Lunch & Sightseeing Cruise
• Paris: Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour
• Paris Private Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings
• #1 Marais & Jewish Quarter | Satisfaction Guaranteed! | 12ppl Max

The Hôtel de Ville is rarely open to the public, so it's free to visit and see its exterior. However, most travelers only view its exterior while sightseeing in Paris. City tours that pass by or stop in front of the building start at around US$50 per person.

The Hôtel de Ville was built in 1357 and rebuilt and enlarged in the 16th and 17th centuries in the Renaissance style. It was burned down during the Paris Commune of 1871, then rebuilt again in the late 19th century in a design that honored some of its original Renaissance architectural features.

Yes, many events are held at the Hôtel de Ville, typically in the square in front of the building. In December, a Christmas market lights up the square, while the annual Fête de la Musique transforms it into a concert venue in June.

To get to the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, take line 1 or line 11 of the metro to Hôtel de Ville station, just below the building. Numerous bus routes stop nearby, including 38, 47, 58, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, and 96.

Many top attractions are within walking distance of the Hôtel de Ville. The Marais neighborhood is just beyond the building and is home to many museums, shops, and the Place des Vosges. Other must-sees include Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Centre Pompidou, and the Louvre Museum.