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Getting around paris, paris travel guide, paris essentials, train travel, paris arrondissements, hotel de ville – the grand city hall in the center of paris.

The Hotel de Ville — the Paris city hall — is one of the most enduring landmarks in a city that's full of great things to look at. It's been that way since the mayor of Paris first moved to the site in 1357. Back then, the seat of Paris city government was in the house owned by whoever was mayor. It wasn't until 1533 that the French king Francis I decided to grace the city with an Hotel de Ville that suited the capital of France.

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Discover what's on when you're here, history & the hotel de ville.

In the 14th-century, the Parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville (the courtyard in front of the building) became execution central, the place crowds would gather to watch those gory spectacles. In 1792 a guillotine was installed here, one which would get a lot of use during the Terror phase of the French Revolution. (Luckily, the last execution took place in 1830.)

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Over the centuries the building was expanded and improved. Until 1871, that is, when the Hotel de Ville Paris was set afire during the Paris Commune — a result of the clash between Communards and the central government. All that remained after the fire was the stone shell. (Like Notre Dame more recently, the walls remained standing after the fire.) It took twenty years, but the city hall was rebuilt inside of the original shell. This is the version of the city hall we still see today.

The Hotel de Ville is the official office of the Mayor of Paris and of local government. In case you're wondering, the current mayor is Spanish-born Anne Hidalgo, the first woman ever to hold the office, who's making innovative proposals like curtailing automobile traffic in the heart of the city and creating better access for bicycles and pedestrians.

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Walking tour – the marais & hotel de ville.

The Paris Hotel de Ville is located on the edge of the city's most-visited neighborhood, the Marais. On a 2-hour stroll with a private guide you discover the greatest secrets of the Marais including Place des Vosges, Centre Pompidou,, the grand mansions that now house museums, Place de la Bastille and, of course, the Hotel de Ville.

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Seasonal activities at hotel de ville.

We always pay a visit to the parvis of the Hotel de Ville , whatever the season — it's one of those places in Paris where there's always something happening. The large place in front of the building (built by Baron Haussmann , is spacious enough to hold the seasonal patinoire — Christmas in Paris is made even more magical with this outdoor skating rink right in the middle of Paris!

In some years a complete Noël village is created in the parvis . When our son was little he loved to ride on the turn-of-the-century children's carousel that is permanently set up on the place. It has wooden horses and lovely deep booths.

That's not to say that the parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville has always been a pedestrian paradise. (Remember the guillotine?) In that car-crazy urban planning era of the the 1950s to the 1970s the space in front of Hotel de Ville was a parking lot, surrounded by a circle of busy traffic. Pedestrians who wanted to enjoy the small park risked life and limb to get there!

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These days there's often an interesting exhibit inside the city hall itself. For instance, when the area around Les Halles was undergoing its twenty-first century reconstruction, the city hosted an exhibit of the photographs Robert Doisneau shot when Les Halles was the site of the Paris central market. During important national sporting events large screens are often set up in the parvis for public viewing.

Being in the center of the city, the area around Hotel de Ville is filled with a slew of interesting buildings and quartiers including the Pompidou Center , Notre Dame Cathedral , the Islands of the Seine , the Marais , and the book merchants ( les bouqinistes ) that line the banks of the Seine river.

Night Walking Tour

The Hotel de Ville is part of the itinerary of this small-group walking tour that takes a nighttime journey to hidden Paris. We love this sort of guided tour, where you discover off-the-beaten-path streets, narrow alleyways, and tucked-away buildings, while learning about the violent and dark history that lurks beneath the City of Light.

It's the darker side of the history of Paris that's featured on this tour — the plague, the French Revolution, the Paris Commune, ghosts & mysteries. On this sort of guided tour you really get a feel for the icons that shaped the city, from early French kings Chlothar the Old and Clovis the Lazy to Napoleon and Marie Antoinette.

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Hotel de ville resources.

• 1 Place de l'Hotel de Ville , 75004
• Metro – Hotel de Ville, Line 1
• Open: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM
• Closed: Sundays and public holidays
• All temporary exhibitions are free of charge

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Hôtel de Ville – Paris’s dazzling City Hall

Why you should absolutely visit the hôtel de ville in paris.

A visit to the City Hall might sound like an afterthought in a city bursting with history and incredible architecture. But the majestic Hôtel de Ville in Paris is no ordinary city hall. We dive into why the Hôtel de Ville is a compelling destination for vacationers seeking a sense of Paris, old and new.

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In Paris, the Hôtel de Ville has housed the city’s administration since 1357 and is still the Mayoral office. Expanded under several kings, destroyed by revolutionaries, and rebuilt with even more splendor, it’s a building that encapsulates Parisian history. Yet where once the guillotine stood and De Gaulle addressed the nation, people now gather for outdoor events, concerts, and Christmas markets.

table of content

What is Paris’s Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville is inaccessible to the public except for a couple of open-door days. The main reason to visit is to admire the striking architecture or join regular events in the forecourt.

Happily, the Hôtel de Ville is within walking distance of various other Parisian attractions, making it a minor detour for city explorers. It’s a worthy detour. Inspired by the Loire châteaux like Chambord and Villandry, the Renaissance design finished in 1628 is an impressive sight. Set ablaze during the Paris Commune of 1871, it was rebuilt in the original style but made even more impressive.

The Hôtel de Ville still serves as the City Hall of Paris . It’s also a focal point for city events and a symbol belonging to the capital, unlike national emblems, the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame .

Tickets and entrance to Hôtel de Ville

Because the Hôtel de Ville is a functioning city hall, much of the building is off-limits throughout the year. There are some exceptions. Although not always viable for vacationers, organized tours are available via their Protocol Office. The office recommends booking tours (French, English, and German) at least 2 months in advance, but also suggests checking for last-minute cancellations. More practical are the occasional citywide events when public buildings are opened to the public.

The first is the wonderful Nuit Blanche (white night, or Sleepless Night in other countries) annual cultural event. Taking place across the city and throughout the night (June 3, 2023), the Hôtel de Ville joins museums and other public institutions in offering free access. It is a popular destination for visitors curious to see the off-limits interior. Journées du Patrimoine is a weekend similar to Nuit Blanche . Part of the European Heritage Days program, Hôtel de Ville joins other landmarks and museums in welcoming visitors for free. Typically happening on the 3rd weekend in Paris in September , the next is scheduled for September 16-17, 2023 .

Exhibitions can be viewed at all times in the Saint Jean room set aside for events. Typically free, they often offer an intriguing perspective on Parisian living. Hôtel de Ville expositions typically run for months and can be found on the city’s website.

Tours of Hôtel de Ville

There is so much to see in this enormous piece of history Hôtel de Ville and if you like to see more and hear more about the revolution than a tour is the best you can do. A guide will tell you everything you absolutely need to know, and even more!

Tours of the Hôtel de Ville: The Details

Paris bike tour in the latin quarter & le marais.

The Latin Quarter and Le Marais are great for walking, but jumping on a bike means you can fit all the main sights into one tour. Bikes, helmets, and knowledgeable tour guide included. Explore this vibrant city like a local on this 4-hour bike tour through the Latin Quarter and the Jewish quarter of Le Marais. The tour starts in the heart of the Latin Quarter and ends at the Hotel de Sens. On the tour you will stop at, among others: Sant-Sulpice, Pantheon, Place Monge, Arenes de Lutece, Place des Vosges and many more.

Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour

Sweeping through several small but essential quartiers clustered on the left bank, this 3-hour bike tour promises to pack in all the local highlights while absorbing the chic ambiance of the lively streets. Discover the forever trendy central areas Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter, Odéon and Luxembourg.

Languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch

Private Half-Day Historic Tour

Christmas is another time when the Hôtel de Ville lights up. One of the city’s finest Christmas markets fills le parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville every December in Paris . It’s a magical festive setting.

Tips for visiting Hôtel de Ville.

A few local tips will help you make the most of seeing the Hôtel de Ville.

• Don’t be dissuaded from inquiring about a scheduled tour of the building. When available, the city hall recommends booking a place at least 2 months ahead . But cancellations happen, and spaces appear at short notice. Send an email if you’re keen to see the interior ([email protected]).
• Hôtel de Ville is a splendid target on a day, exploring Le Marais neighborhood, which bursts with noted landmarks and world-class museums.

You want to explore the truly magical neighborhoods of Paris? Take a look at the article about the best neighborhoods of Paris !

Stunning views from this rooftopbar

Head to Le Perchoir , the rooftop bar above the BHV Marais department store , for glorious views over the Hôtel de Ville and Paris skyline. But it’s only open during the summer .

Is Hôtel de Ville worth visiting?

While access to the interior is restricted, the ornate architecture and imposing building has witnessed momentous events. Situated in the vibrant Le Marais neighborhood, it earns a place on tourist itineraries .

Hosting frequent cultural activities in its courtyard, exhibitions in the dedicated Saint Jean room, and the occasional open-door event, a well-timed visit can be even more rewarding.

Historic facts about Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville was a home transformed into a city hall in 1357 by Étienne Marcel, the merchant’s provost who was effectively the mayor of Paris. The ‘ House of Pillars ’ was later transformed into a grander building alongside the adjacent public square once used for public executions.Notable changes took place from 1533 to 1628 under the orders of several monarchs who wanted a city hall worthy of a world capital.

The city hall, one of the grandest buildings in the city and the center of local government, was at the center of numerous momentous events: The murder of the last Merchant’s Provost, Jacques de Flesselles, on July 14, 1789, was one of the sparks of the French Revolution. The city hall would later become the headquarters of the revolution . In the same halls just five years later, one of the architects of the subsequent Terror, Maximilien Robespierre, was arrested. Revolutionaries again targeted their anger on the Hôtel de Ville during the short yet explosive Paris Commune of 1871. First used as headquarters, the building was set ablaze as the French army moved into Paris. Archives were destroyed, and the historic building was left a smoldering ruin.

The building façade was restored in all its original glory . But new wings and an even more sumptuous interior were added. Making the city hall an even more impressive monument to Paris’s legacy . The building has survived unscathed since then. The city hall became a national symbol of unity in 1944 when the leader of the Free French, Charles de Gaulle, delivered his famous speech marking France’s liberation. The immortal opening line encapsulates much of what the Hôtel de Ville has represented over 6 centuries.

What to do after visiting the Hôtel de Ville

The Hôtel de Ville is well-positioned for exploring some of the most diverting parts of Paris. Situated in the multi-faceted Le Marais neighborhood, there are several top attractions nearby.

• Just minutes away across the Pont D’Arcole are Notre-Dame Cathedral and the historical wonders of Île de la Cit .
• Head in other directions to comfortably walk to the Pompidou Center or the absorbing Carnavalet Museum .
• Paris’s oldest planned square, Place des Vosges , is also nearby. It’s a relaxed spot for a picnic, as is the Seine running alongside the Hôtel de Ville.
• There are numerous cozy bistros and modern eateries in the surrounding streets. The traditional Le Trumilou serves bistro favorites, just moments from the city hall and overlooking the Seine.

When can you visit Hôtel de Ville?

As the city hall of Paris, the Hôtel de Ville is only open for pre-reserved tours. However, the doors are open to the public on European Heritage Days and during the Nuit Blanche. Free events are often hosted in the courtyard, including a leading Christmas market and the FNAC Live concert. You can also see regular free exhibitions in the Salle Saint-Jean, a striking space set aside for expositions.

What is the nearest Métro stop?

The impossible to forget Hôtel de Ville Métro station (Lines 1, 11) lands visitors in the forecourt right outside the building.

Is there anything else to do near Hôtel de Ville in Paris?

On the edge of the spirited Le Marais neighborhood and a short distance from historic Île de la Cité . Hôtel de Ville is within walking distance of several world-class museums , including the Pompidou Center, and several iconic monuments, like Notre-Dame cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle.

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Paris City-Hall

Last Updated:  2 March 2020

The City Hall of Paris  ( Hôtel de Ville de Paris ) is one of the most popular monuments in the French capital. Situated near the banks of  River Seine in the 4th arrondissement , the historic building has been the seat of the city’s council since 1977.

A bit of History

The first building on the site was designed in the Renaissance style from 1553 to 1628.

During the troublesome events of the Paris Commune in 1871 , a fire destroyed the building except for parts of the façades.

The City Hall was entirely rebuilt between 1874 and 1882 by architects Ballu and Desperthes in florid neo-Renaissance style. Modelled on the previous building, it also resembles the chateaux of the Loire with its steep roofs and elaborate stonework, statues and turrets.

At the Liberation of Paris on the 25th August 1944 , General de Gaulle made a famous rousing speech from the great balcony of the City-Hall:

“Paris ! Paris outragé ! Paris brisé ! Paris martyrisé ! mais Paris libéré ! libéré par lui-même, libéré par son peuple avec le concours des armées de la France, avec l’appui et le concours de la France tout entière, de la France qui se bat, de la seule France, de la vraie France, de la France éternelle.”

(“Paris! Paris outraged! Paris broken! Paris martyred! But Paris liberated! Liberated by itself, liberated by its people with the help of the French armies, with the support and the help of all France, of the France that fights, of the only France, of the real France, of the eternal France!”)

The monumental façade features 338 individual statues of illustrious Parisians, as well as lions and other sculptural elements.

On the South side on the garden wall stand the equestrian statue of Etienne Marcel , an important historic Parisian character lynched in 1358.

The interior of the City-Hall can be visited by groups under certain conditions. It features magnificent halls which welcome elaborate banquets and receptions.

La Salle des Fêtes

The Salle des Fêtes is a long ballroom richly ornate which was designed as a Republican replica of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. The ceiling of the hall has frescoes representing sixteen provinces of France.

The adjoining salons , lavishly decorated in the 1880s, are devoted to science, literature and the arts.

All the chandeliers were designed by the fine crystal manufactory of Baccarat in Lorraine .

Place de Grève

The City Hall borders the East side of the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville . The square was known as Place de Grève (Square of the strand) until 1830 when it bordered the banks of River Seine .

During the Middle-Ages , the foreshore was a meeting place for the unemployed. Today ‘ faire la grève ’ means ’ to go on strike ’.

The square was also the site where bourgeois and Parisians were hanged or beheaded by the axe or the sword, witches and heretics were burnt at the stake and murderers tortured and dismembered. On this square, Ravaillac, King Henri IV’s assassin was quartered alive by four strong horses.

Today the square is a popular meeting place for big sportive events displayed on big screens, and for welcoming Paris’ largest open-air ice-skating rink from December to March.

About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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Hotel de Ville, the Paris City Hall

Hotel de Ville is the Paris City Hall. Located in the Le Marais district, it is a a 19th century monumental replica of the 15th century original city hall. Hotel de Ville is at the heart of the administrative power in the City of Lights. Paris monuments .

Paris City Hall facts

The Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall) has been the heart of political and social life in the city since 1357.

The City Hall, the largest in Europe, is located at the heart of the city on the banks of the Seine river and the edge of fashionable Le Marais district. Although the city of Paris is relatively small with 2 million people, the City Hall exerts its influence over the 12 million people Ile de France region.

The city is divided into 20 arrondissements. Each one has its own city hall with limited administrative power. Check map of Paris arrondissements with top city sights.

Paris facts

Paris City Hall History

During the Middle Ages, parisians sentenced to death were hung on Place de Greve, today Place de l'Hotel de Ville.

The first City Hall building ( picture ) was built between 1523 and 1628 on a design by Italian architect Le Boccador. Le Boccador also partly designed the Chambord Castle, the most famous of the Chateaux de la Loire .

This City Hall was destroyed by fire ( picture ) in May 1871 during the La Commune uprising. The City Hall was rebuilt on the same design, but larger, between 1874 and 1882.

Paris City Hall address

Paris City Hall Place de l'Hotel de Ville 75004 Paris France

Paris metro : Metro station Hotel de Ville on line 1. Locate Paris City Hall on Paris map Hotel de Ville visits Walk in Le Marais Book hotel near Notre Dame with Hotel de Ville, Centre Pompidou and Le Marais close-by.

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Hotel de Ville de Paris

Located in Paris center, on the right bank and tangent to the Seine, the  Hôtel de Ville de Paris  hosts, since 1357, the municipal institutions. The first version of the building was ordered by King Francis I, around 1533, a shiny and refined hotel in the spirit of the Renaissance. Finished in 1628, it was destroyed by a fire during the 1871 'Commune'. Nonetheless, it was rebuilt shorty afterwards to become the most modern building around, and the place of experimentation for the  hydraulic elevator, the electric ladder or, even, the telephone. Nowadays, it remains the biggest city hall in  Europe . The square facing the building now belongs to pedestrians and, after six centuries of history, has a high symbolic meaning. Formerly called 'Place de Grève', it was re-baptized  Place de l'Hôtel de Ville  in 1803 and served for royal parties, such as 'Saint Jean', consisting of honoring victories or dealing with executions. Paris City Hall, with a long list of insurrections, has frequently been the rallying spot for  rioters and revolutionaries. The main front is ornamented with characters relevant to the  City Hall of Paris : artists, intellectuals, politicians, entrepreneurs... The interior architecture was conceived to glorify the Republic and thus its mimics the Versailles' Hall of Mirrors, built two centuries earlier. Pariscityvision.com offers a view of the City Hall of Paris during its  Paris City Tour  trip or the  City Tour of Paris and audio guided visit of the Louvre Museum  one.

Paris City Hall – Hôtel de Ville

Every week , the City Hall of Paris organizes a guided visit (two during the summer) of its buildings. From the hall to the office of Mayor, an original opportunity to discover a part of the history of Paris, within one of the finest buildings in Paris.

Seat of the Municipality since 1357

Since 1357, the City of Paris has never left its current location. However, the building changed over time . First ” House of the pillars” in the 14th century, because of the large piles that supported its facade, it is King François 1er who commissioned a new building back from the wars of Italy, whose construction lasted from 1533 to 1628. A palace designed by Italian architect Boccador in a style that combines Italian Renaissance and French Classicism. For a while, the building will be then slightly modified and extended until the terrible events of 1871.

On 24 May 1871 the City Hall indeed burnt down , because of the Commune of Paris, civil war that puts Paris to fire and the sword. The council decided its reconstruction at the same place. Théodore Ballu and Édouard Deperthes won the architectural competition by offering façade a similar design that Boccador’s building. Inaugurated in 1882, only the interior will be changed to be compatible with its administrative functions.

Another novelty will be the 200 statues that adorn the facades representing personalities from the world of art, science or politics, all natives of Paris .

Hôtel de Ville burnt out, Charles Marville

From “Place de Grève” to “Place de l’Hotel de Ville”

Named Place de l’Hotel de Ville in 1803 , the large square in front of the City Hall has also always been an important place in Paris lifetime. Nowadays mostly dedicated to leisure , it knew less glorious hours when it was named Place de Greve .

For a long time most important port in Paris, the word “Grève” (Strike) takes its name from the sloping sandy beach built for docking boats. A place that attracted many Parisians in search of work, who came here “faire la Grève” – “Doing strike. Over time, the meaning of these gathering workers has been reversed !

The Place de Grève had also been the mecca of Parisian public executions for 500 years . The first took place in 1310, where a heretic woman, Marguerite Perrette, was burned. The last public execution was in 1832.

Guided Tours of l’Hôtel de Ville

That’s all this history, and even more, you can discover during the guided tours organized by the City Hall, walking through the wonderful rooms and the old monument

• Useful informations

One weekly visit, groups about 30 persons (summer : two weekly visits). Visits only ion French.

Registrations : — Salon d’Accueil, 29 rue de Rivoli (4e arrondissement) Monday to Saturday 10am 7pm — Telephone :  01 42 76 43 43  (Monday to Saturday 10am 7pm). — Protocole service phone:  01 42 76 50 49  ou  01 42 76 54 04

More informations (French)  here

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L'Hôtel de Ville

Place de l'Hotel de Ville, the oldest square and until the completion of the Places des Vosges and Dauphine the only square in the capital, originally formed a sandy cove down to the river. This “descent” was optimal for grounding and anchoring boats. A port was probably installed in the Carolingian period and followed the imprint of a Gallo-Roman path. Navigation on the Seine was a key issue because the majority of goods arrived in Paris by water. The site and its surroundings made up a large commercial area and the shoreline was divided into different ports, the main port being for wine. Other existing ports included those for coal, wood, and wheat. In the 17th century port Grève, as it was known, began to face competition from other ports on the Seine and lost its monopoly on wine importation. In the 18th century, it found itself in competition with the “Les Halles” market. In the early 19th century, the port was used for grain shipment and later became an important market for apples from Normandy.

Since 1967, the left bank expressway is located on the site of the former port, forming a 13km highway linking St. Cloud to Bercy. The Banks were classified a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1991. Today, Paris would like to develop a walk along the waterfront in order to enhance this unique patrimony. Meanwhile, each summer, Paris-Plage is present along the banks. 

Place de l'Hotel de Ville was used for parties organized by the municipality and to celebrate births and marriages of the royal family, but it was also the place for important executions from 1310 to 1830, including those of Ravaillac and La Brinvilliers. During the 19th century the square expanded, finally becoming a vast pedestrian area in 1982 to mark the centenary of the rebuilding of the Hotel de Ville. Hotel de Ville is a major attraction and still a popular place for festive gatherings of all kinds. It is also a convenient starting point for then discovering the Marais.

The first stone of the building commissioned by Francois the 1st was placed on July 15, 1533 by the Italian architect Dominique Cortone, also known as the Boccador. Religious wars slowed the progression of the building. It was not until 1606 that the architect Marin de la Vallée, during the reign of Henry IV, continued the project. Don’t forget to admire a copy of the equestrian statue of Henri IV placed above the central door; the original is kept at the Musée Carnavalet.

During the Fronde revolution, the Hotel de Ville was the center of opposition to the regency of Anne of Austria and Mazarin.

In the early 19th century important extension work was undertaken, and the building surface passed from 4000m2 to 9600m2. The layout of the new facades was freely inspired by the Italian Renaissance. The decoration of the interior galleries was entrusted to renowned artists such as Eugène Delacroix and Jean-Dominique Ingres.

After the disaster of Sedan and the abdication of Napoleon III, the Republic was proclaimed at the City Hall on September 4, 1870. A few months later the government withdrew to Versailles, leaving room for the Commune, which in turn was proclaimed on March 28, 1871. The insurgents set fire to the Town Hall (Hotel de Ville) when the Versailles troops entered Paris on May 24.

As it was impossible to restore the building due to the calcination of the stones, the municipality organized a contest in 1872-1873 for the reconstruction of the building.

Projects by Théodore Ballu and Antoine Deperthes were selected, bringing back the facade to its original state as realized by Bocador. The Hotel de Ville, a palace in honor of the republic, is decorated with a profusion of sculptures. The iconography revolves around three themes: allegories, cities of France, and famous men and women.   After admiring the city hall, continue your walk towards the rue Francois Miron, passing the Church of Saint Gervais, whose origins date back to the 6th century but that was built in a 17th century style blending Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders. Note in passing through Place Saint Gervais the elm tree in memory of a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. It was under the elm tree that justice was rendered.   Rue Francois Miron, of Roman origin, led to Melun at the time of the Early Roman Empire. Remnants of this period were discovered during the levelling of the road during the 19th century. Other surrounding streets such as rue des Barres, rue de l’Hotel de Ville, and rue de Brosse were formed in the middle ages and have retained their route. This area was declared unsafe in 1960 and has been a major project of urban renewal.

At 2 -12 rue Francois Miron existed squalid medieval residences which were destroyed in 1733, permitting the building of the factory Saint Gervais in their place. Note the pattern of the wrought iron railings, still visible today, representing the arms of the parish, the St. Gervais Elm. The Couperins, famous musicians of the 17th century, also lived here.

Alexandre Ledru-Rollin was born in 1807 at 10 rue Francois Miron. He is known for entering Hotel de Ville in 1848 to proclaim the Republic. Appointed Minister of the Interior, he restored the popular vote.

At 22- 16 rue Francois Miron we find the location of the first Baudoyer gate, dating from the eleventh century, at the intersection of rue Francois Miron and rue des Barres.   Rue Grenier-sur-l'Eau has preserved its original cobblestones as well as its axial stream, now animated by shops and artisans. The steeple of the church of Saint Gervais is visible in the background.   Rue de l'Hotel de Ville, dating from the Middle Ages, was once called "mortellerie"; the  etymology of this word derives from from the French word for mason because many masons lived there. Its origins date back to the 13th century, when masons were constructing cathedrals as well as many great European cities. At numbers 89, 91, 95, 103, 107 and 109 of rue de l'Hotel de Ville, the street has retained some tall, narrow houses of the 17th and 18th century.

The rue des Barres still has some houses built between the 16th and 18th century. It also retains some traces of earlier remains, notably at 12 rue des Barres; the structure of the Maubuisson Abbey dates from the 13th century, although it was modified in the 19th century.   After wandering the maze of winding streets of the neighborhood of Saint Germain, return towards the Seine to enjoy the numerous pubs and terraces there. Enjoy a typical French meal in Trumilou at quai de l'Hotel de Ville, or Chez Julien on the corner of  rue des Barres and the Pont Louis Philippe, or perhaps a traditional Burgundian dish at Bourguignon du Marais on rue Francois Miron, before continuing to the Ile de la Cité across the bridge pont d'Arcole. There you will find a lovely flower market between the Prefecture (main police station), the Courthouse, and the Hotel Dieu hospital. Installed since 1808 in place Lepine, it is a refreshing spot to discover plants, shrubs and orchids of all kinds.

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Paris City Hall

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Like the city itself, the Paris City Hall has a long and tumultuous history. Occupying this same exact spot through fires, royals, and riots, the Hôtel de Ville embodies the motto of Paris, “Fluctuat nec mergitur,” tossed by the waves, but does not sink.

A beautiful example of Renaissance architecture right in the heart of Paris, the town hall has stood the test of time and remains a gathering place for Parisians today.

 The Paris City Hall dates back to 1357 when merchant provost Etienne Marcel acquired “La Maison aux Piliers,” the House of Pillars, in the name of the municipality.

When the building fell into ruins in the 16th century, King François I replaced the humble city hall with a beautiful Renaissance-style palace designed by Italian architect Boccador.

After its completion in 1628, the Hôtel de Ville remained mostly untouched for nearly 200 years.

It survived well past the French Revolution despite being the rallying point of rioters, insurgents, and revolutionaries, but the building was partially destroyed by a fire in 1871 during the bloody Paris Commune.

Reconstruction started just two years later but took nearly 20 years to complete. While the exterior was rebuilt to be identical to the former building, the interior was modernized.

Although the town hall is no longer open to the public, with the exception of occasional temporary exhibits and during the European Heritage Days in September, admiring the building from the outside is enough to give you a strange and moving sense of glimpsing into history.

The square just in front of the Hôtel de Ville is where Robespierre was shot and arrested — among many other significant moments in Paris’s past — now hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year.

Home to sports fan zones and a music festival in summer and an ice rink and Christmas market in winter, there’s nearly always something happening here.

And you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful backdrop — it’s particularly gorgeous at night!

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Le barbouille, the hardware société, le saint-régis, brasserie la lorraine, du pain et des idées, brasserie dubillot, bouillon julien, le four du 12, aux petits oignons, le coupe-chou, les vins des dames, bouillon chartier, monsieur bleu, chez gladines, le voltaire, le chalet de neuilly, le pantruche, le radis beurre, la felicità, station f, le comptoir du relais saint germain, le grand bain, café soucoupe, paname brewing company, willi’s wine bar, dose – dealer du café (batignolles), rosa bonheur – buttes chaumont, le comptoir général, la péniche antipode, castor club, la belle hortense, le mary celeste, café de flore, le syndicat, night flight, compagnie des vins surnaturels, le bouclier de bacchus, strada café, le perchoir de l’est, le renard bar, wild & the moon, le pavillon des canaux, dose – dealer de café (mouffetard), café kitsuné – palais royal, l’abribus café, slow galerie, la samaritaine, antique & used book market, marché du livre, la cure gourmande, marché belgrand, bercy village, les puces de vanves, passy covered market, le bon marché, le bazar de l’hôtel de ville, koshka mashka, galeries lafayette, librairie galignani, the frankie shop, shakespeare and company, assouline – saint germain, fromagerie quatrehomme, legrand filles et fils, the abbey bookshop, aujourd’hui demain, twins concept store, l’eau et les rêves, alix d. reynis, marché saint-pierre, l’eclair de génie, matières à réflexion, erotokritos, parc de bagatelle, the american library in paris, galerie dior, musée carnavalet, square marcel bleustein blanchet, bourse de commerce, square édouard vii, musée de montmartre, rue denoyez, le village saint paul, square des batignolles, wall of ‘i love you’, les champs-elysées, galerie perrotin, galerie kamel mennour, atelier des lumières, fondation louis vuitton, institut du monde arabe, parc de belleville, square barye, rue des eaux, parc monceau, arènes de lutèce, musée nissim de camondo, musée jacquemart-andré, l’hôtel de sully, centre pompidou, la sainte-chapelle, cimetière du montparnasse, galerie vivienne, maison de balzac, la conciergerie, gertrude stein’s apartment, musée de l’homme, place dauphine, notre dame cathedral, maison de victor hugo, la seine musicale, aquaboulevard, bam karaoke box, cirque d’hiver bouglione, moulin rouge, crazy horse paris, folies bergère, le grand rex, théâtre michel, gossima ping-pong bar, playground duperré, ‘oh my god, she’s parisian’ comedy show, les petites flèches, théâtre du châtelet, café oz – denfert, bus palladium, open-air cinema at la villette, les bains du marais, aux bains montorgueil, hammam les cent ciels, free persephone, spa my blend by clarins, peninsula spa, the spa at mandarin oriental paris.

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November 12, 2023 at 2:47 pm

Very good info. Lucky me I ran across your site by accident (stumbleupon).

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

Hotel de Ville

Lucy Davidson

24 aug 2021, @lucejuiceluce.

About Hotel de Ville

The seat of Paris City Council since 1357, Hotel de Ville – which translates to the Paris city hall – is a neo-renaissance building which is one of Paris’ most enduring landmarks.

History of Hotel de Ville

The site being the seat of the Paris City Council predates the construction of the Hotel de Ville. It was only in 1533 that king Francis I decided to formally construct a building for the purpose of being a city hall. A later north wing was added by Henry IV and Louis XIII between 1605 and 1628.

During the 14th century, the courtyard in front of the building was the central site for executions in the city. This pattern was later repeated, with a guillotine being installed there in 1792 which was frequently used during the French Revolution .

Along with all of the city archives, it was burned to a shell by the Paris Commune in 1871. It was rebuilt over a period of 20 years following the original design, though the interior was significantly altered.

In 1944, as Paris was being liberated from the Germans, the Hotel de Ville was made the headquarters of the National Council of Resistance. At the climax of the liberation, Charles de Gaulle famously appeared on the balcony and made a speech to a celebrating crowd below.

Hotel de Ville Today

Today, Hotel de Ville houses the local government council, and the Mayor of Paris and her cabinet since 1977, and also serves as a venue for large receptions. Tours are available by reservation only. One of the highlights is the function room, which was created as a replica to the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles . Free major exhibitions are also a great success.

Getting to Hotel de Ville

Hotel de Ville is located very centrally in Paris, in the 3rd arrondissement. The closest Metro station is Châtelet.

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History of Paris City Hall

It's impossible to visit Paris without visiting the Hôtel de Ville , in the heart of the capital. If you didn't manage to book your group tour two months in advance (!) or if there was too much of a wait during the Journées du Patrimoine , you can always stroll around the large Place de l'Hôtel de Ville while gazing at Europe's largest municipal building . But how well do you know its history?

Paris' first town hall, then known as the Maison aux Piliers , was built in 1357, and from then on Parisian municipal institutions were run from there. But in the 16th century, the Maison aux Piliers fell into ruin. On the orders of King François I , it was replaced by a Renaissance-style palace , built between 1533 and 1628 to plans by the Italian architect Boccador . From 1837 to 1848, the Hôtel de Ville was renovated and, above all, enlarged by Godde and Lesueur. Great artists of the time, such as Delacroix and Ingres , were responsible for the decor!

And yet, the Hôtel de Ville we know today is absolutely not this one, but a building constructed between 1874 and 1882. So, what happened in between? The Paris Commune , of course! On May 24, 1871, the Hôtel de Ville was invaded by the Communards, the Paris Commune was proclaimed and a group of Communards finally set fire to the palace. The archives and collections were reduced to ashes.

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Only three years later, the new Hôtel de Ville was rebuilt according to the plans of the old building, but enlarged and raised. The architects Théodore Ballu and Deperthes were responsible for the rapid construction of such a majestic building. The façade features statues of major figures from French history (scholars, politicians, industrialists) and artists such as Voltaire, Molière, La Bruyère, Perrault, Delacroix, de Musset, La Rochefoucault and Boileau.

Known as Place de Grève and then Place de la Maison Commune during the French Revolution , the square in front of the Hôtel de Ville was renamed Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in 1803. 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.

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How is the city of Paris adapting to climate change?

After a summer of searing heatwaves and droughts, the city of Paris is under pressure to revise and accelerate its much-touted plans to prepare the French capital for the challenges of global warming. FRANCE 24 takes a close look at the city’s efforts to go green. 

Issued on: 27/08/2022 - 15:53

Paris Mayor  Anne Hidalgo , best known for her pledge to make Paris 100% bikeable, has made tackling climate change a top priority and is widely regarded as a vocal advocate of greening Europe's capital cities. However, this past scorching summer has highlighted the need to accelerate efforts to make Paris more resistant to the effects of global warming. 

The city of Paris has won plaudits for its Climate Action Plan , which aims to make the city carbon neutral by 2050. According to Vincent Viguié, a researcher in climate change economics at the Centre for International Research on Environment and Development (CIRED), the plan “places the city among the most active in the world on this subject, both in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the present and future impacts of climate change".  

But for Alexandre Florentin, a Paris councillor and member of the green party Génération écologie , the city’s administration must be careful not to rest on its laurels.

While Paris “was ahead of other cities” when it first published its Climate Action Plan, he says, it has since “fallen behind when it comes to the energy and climate crises”.

“The climate emergency doesn’t shape the rest of the city’s policy enough, when it should be driving it,” he says. For instance, “it's great to build bicycle lanes, but we don’t think enough about the impact of mass tourism and aeroplanes. We need to do things in conjunction".

Hidalgo’s green belt

The Paris Climate Action Plan was revised in June with the aim of accelerating the city’s ecological transition and ensuring it remains on track to meet targets set under the UN-backed Paris Climate Agreement of 2015.  The idea was to focus on the specific needs of each Parisian arrondissement (district) and step up efforts to reduce inequalities that have been further exacerbated by climate change.  

At the start of the year, the main environmental objectives listed on the City Hall’s website  included making schools more accessible by foot, transforming playgrounds into “oases” and planting more than 22,000 trees to combat heatwaves and bolster biodiversity.

In May, Hidalgo announced that she wanted to transform the city’s 35 km-long périphérique (ring-road) from a “grey belt” into a “green belt” by planting a total of 70,000 trees and reducing the number of traffic lanes from 4 to 3. For 2024, when Paris is due to host the summer Olympics , Hidalgo has plans to create an “Olympic lane”, which will be designated for buses, taxis and carpooling for those participating in the Olympics. According to the mayor’s deputy, David Belliard, this would help reduce traffic by up to 80,000 vehicles.  

The Paris mayor has also pledged to plant more than 170,000 trees in the city itself and expand its parks and gardens by 30 hectares by 2026.

Some initiatives have run into heated criticism – not least when an environmental activist shared a video claiming that centuries-old trees had been cut down on the city’s outskirts to make way for Hidalgo’s “green belt”.  

“It doesn’t make sense to chop trees down in order to plant others,” said Florentin. “There is no consensus on the urgency of the situation. If there was, adapting to climate change would be the number one priority. We wouldn’t be building anything new, but rather adapting what is already there.”

For CIRED’s Viguié, however, initiatives like the green belt “can be very effective” – and an example to follow for others.  

“I would like to see these measures applied to other communes in the Paris region,” he said. “The city of Paris only makes up a small part of the region. When you look elsewhere, things are very different and policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transport or buildings, for example, are much less developed.”  

‘Clock is ticking’

Following a summer of searing heat, one of the city’s top priorities will be to adapt buildings to ensure they can withstand extreme temperatures. Some 55,000 social housing units have already received financial aid as part of a vast programme to reduce energy consumption and adapt buildings to climate change. According to Paris officials, this will result in 54% savings in energy consumption and a 56% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The objective is also to undertake the energy-efficient renovation of 40,000 private residential buildings per year starting from 2030.

Making buildings energy-efficient includes planting trees, thermally insulating attics, roofs, ceilings and walls, improving heating systems, installing double-glazed windows, improving ventilation systems and installing blinds for use in winter and summer. Bio-sourced products are used to reduce buildings’ carbon footprint.  

As things stand, “in 10 to 20 years, some apartments will be classified as unliveable, at least for part of the year", says Florentin, noting that many Parisians have complained about not being able to tolerate the high temperatures experienced this summer.

His party, Génération écologie , has successfully lobbied to set up an appraisal committee to review and improve the city’s Climate Action Plan. While the committee was already in the pipeline, he concedes that this year’s heatwaves “helped push things forward”.

Starting in October, the committee will hold six months of weekly meetings involving representatives from all the political parties present on the Paris Council. It will gather experts, politicians and scientists with the goal of “acquiring a better understanding of what kind of climate change indicators, including heatwaves, we will have to face", says Florentin.  

“I feel that there is a lack of understanding of the science in the political sphere,” said the Paris councillor. “Many politicians simply do not understand that we will face a lot of heatwaves within the next 30 years. A lot of people were surprised by what happened this summer, but scientists had warned us.”  

According to Dr. Vivian Dépoues, a Climate Change Adaptation Project Leader at the Institute for Climate Economics, Paris officials need to work on a “more profound transformation of the city”. Some questions, such as “how to make hospitals more resistant to heatwaves, for instance, have not been raised or examined closely enough as they are difficult ones", he said.

Paris also needs to improve its management of water resources, says Aude Lemonsu, a researcher at the Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques . She advocates “introducing pervious soils and rainwater recovery systems” to offset the effects of extreme weather events, such as storms or droughts.

On all these issues, Paris officials must work to “get ahead of the problem” rather than chase after it, Florentin adds: “The city of Paris has been working on this for quite a while already, but like for all other cities, the clock is ticking and the race has started.”

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Moscow concert attack: More than 60 reported dead; ISIS claims responsibility

This live blog has ended. For the most recent updates, please click here .

What we know about the Moscow concert attack

• Men in camouflage broke into a Moscow concert hall and opened fire, shooting an unknown number of people, Russia’s prosecutor general said.
• The terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility but did not provide proof of the claim, which was made on ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram.
• Russia's Investigative Committee said that more than 60 people are dead after the attack at Crocus City Hall. Officials have said more than 100 others were injured.
• A fire also started inside Crocus City Hall, a large concert venue northwest of central Moscow. Firefighters have evacuated about 100 people from the basement of the building and efforts are underway to rescue people from the roof, Russian emergency officials said.
• Russia officials said they were investigating the attack as a terrorist act.
• A popular rock band was scheduled to play what appeared to be a sold-out show at the venue, which has a maximum capacity of more than 9,000 people.

Three children among those killed, state media reports

Chantal Da Silva

Three children were among the more than 60 people killed in yesterday's attack at Crocus City Hall, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing the Russian Ministry of Health.

Officials have warned that the death toll connected to the deadly incident may increase as the investigation continues.

Xi sends condolences to Putin

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday after a deadly shooting at a concert hall near Moscow, saying China opposes all forms of terrorism and strongly condemns terrorist attacks.

China firmly supports the Russian government’s efforts to maintain national security and stability, Xi said, according to CCTV state television. 

Moscow bloodshed comes two decades after some of worst attacks in Russia

Phil Helsel

The shooting attacks in Moscow are the latest in a series of deadly terror attacks in the country since the 2000s.

In 2004, militants from Chechnya and elsewhere took hostages at a school in Beslan in southern Russia.

The militants demanded a withdrawal from Chechnya. Hostages were kept in a gymnasium, and 334 died — half of them children — when gunfire and explosions erupted when it was stormed. Hostages’ families were critical of the rescue operation. Russian prosecutors later cleared authorities .

Two years prior, in 2002, Chechen separatists attacked the Dubrovka Theater in Moscow and took more than 700 people hostage. Russian forces used gas, and 129 hostages died. The attackers were killed.

More recently, in 2017 a suicide bomber from Kyrgyzstan killed 15 people as well as himself in an attack on a St. Petersburg subway. In 2013, two bombers killed a combined 34 people in attacks on a railway station and a trolleybus in Volgograd.

The group Islamic State, also known as ISIS, claimed responsibility for the attacks Friday at the Crocus City Hall venue.

Putin wishes victims well, deputy prime minister says

President Vladimir Putin is thinking of those injured in today’s attack and thanked doctors, a Russian government official said according to state media.

State media TASS reported that “Putin wished all those injured in the emergency at Crocus City Hall to recover and conveyed his gratitude to the doctors, Golikova said,” referring to Tatiana Golikova deputy prime minister for social policy, labor, health and pension provision.

More than 60 dead, and death toll could grow, Russian agency says

Russia’s Investigative Committee said Saturday that more than 60 people have died in the attack, and warned the number may increase.

“The bodies of the dead are being examined. It has been previously established that more than 60 people died as a result of the terrorist attack. Unfortunately, the number of victims may increase,” according to the Investigative Committee, which is a federal state agency.

Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs and the security agency FSB are continuing to investigate, the committee said in a statement, and weapons and ammunition have been found.

U.S. warned Russia about planned terrorist attack in Moscow, NSC says

Monica Alba

The United States shared information about a potential terrorist attack in Moscow with Russia’s government earlier this month, a spokesperson for the National Security Council said.

The U.S. Embassy in Russia on March 7 warned U.S. citizens to avoid crowds and said it was monitoring reports that extremists might attack large gatherings in Moscow.

“Earlier this month, the U.S. Government had information about a planned terrorist attack in Moscow — potentially targeting large gatherings, to include concerts — which prompted the State Department to issue a public advisory to Americans in Russia,” NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said.

“The U.S. Government also shared this information with Russian authorities in accordance with its longstanding ‘duty to warn’ policy,” Watson said.

Putin recently dismissed ‘provocative’ warning about potential attacks

In remarks that aired three days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the West of “provocative statements” about potential terror attacks in Russia, and dismissed them.

“I’ll remind you of recent, let’s say directly, provocative statements of certain official Western structures about potential terror attacks in Russia,” Putin said.

“All of this looks like obvious blackmail and an attempt to intimidate, destabilize our country,” he said before the state security agency FSB.

Putin in those remarks did not specify a country or warning. The U.S. embassy in Russia on March 7 warned U.S. citizens to avoid crowds .

“The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the U.S. embassy warned.

Guards at concert hall didn't have guns, state news says

The Associated Press

Guards at the concert hall didn’t have guns, and some could have been killed at the start of the attack, Russian media reported.

Some Russian news outlets suggested the assailants fled before special forces and riot police arrived.

Reports said police patrols were looking for several vehicles the attackers could have used to escape.

U.S. had been gathering intelligence that ISIS could attack Russia

Ken Dilanian

The U.S. had been gathering intelligence for months that ISIS could mount a mass casualty attack in Russia, two U.S. officials confirmed to NBC News.

That information led to a March 7 warning issued by the U.S. embassy in Russia about possible extremist attacks, including at concerts, urging people to stay away from large gatherings, one of the officials said.

That official said the claim of responsibility today by ISIS appears to be genuine, though no final assessment had been made about who was responsible.

Some Moscow concertgoers filmed events as they unfolded Friday night, when gunmen opened fire inside a theater and people ran to take cover in fear for their lives.

Witness says gunfire was first thought to be construction noise

A witness to today’s armed attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall told a state news agency that they first mistook the gunfire for sounds of an installation being dismantled.

“First, we started hearing typical loud pops, but it was impossible to understand that they were gunshots. We thought that something was falling, as exhibitions were being dismantled at that moment, and someone seemed to be dropping something large,” Mikhail Semyonov told TASS .

“Then, the bangs were getting more and more frequent. Suddenly, there was a scream, and the bangs started to be heard as bursts. Then it became clear that it was shooting,” he said.

ISIS claims responsibility for attack but does not provide proof

The terror group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack in Moscow.

The group, also known as ISIS, did not provide any proof of its claim, which came from ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram.

The group’s members have carried out a number of terror attacks, including the 2015 attacks in Paris that killed 130 people.

Children among the victims, Russia's children commissioner says

Yuliya Talmazan

Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, said children were among the victims of tonight's attack.

"Information about their condition is regularly updated," Lvova-Belova said on Telegram. "Any additional assistance will be provided immediately."

She later told Russia 24 TV channel that at least two children had been injured, including one boy with a gunshot wound.

Earlier, Russian officials released a preliminary casualty toll of at least 40 people dead and more than 100 injured.

France, U.K., Germany condemn attack

Officials from France, the U.K. and Germany were among those who expressed their condolences to the victims of the attack at the Crocus concert hall.

"The images of the terrible attack on innocent people in Crocus City Hall near #Moscow are horrific," Germany's Foreign Office said on X . "The background must be investigated quickly. Our deepest condolences with the families of the victims."

"We condemn the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall near Moscow," the U.K.'s embassy in Russia said . "This is a terrible tragedy."

Meanwhile, France's foreign ministry called for "full light" to be shed on "these heinous acts."

Public events across Russia called off after attack

Several regional leaders across Russia, including in the annexed Kherson region of Ukraine, have canceled public events this weekend over security considerations after the deadly concert attack in Moscow.

Shortly after the attack, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin canceled all sports, cultural and other public events in Moscow this weekend. State news agency TASS also quoted Russia's cultural ministry as saying that mass and entertainment events in federal cultural institutions have been canceled in the coming days.

Zelenskyy adviser speaks out about attack

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s adviser denied that Ukraine was involved in the deadly Crocus concert hall attack.

“Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia),” Mykhailo Podolyak wrote on X. “It makes no sense whatsoever.”

No evidence has emerged to suggest Ukraine may have been involved, but Ukrainian officials may be trying to pre-empt accusations, as some Kremlin hawks have already started pointing at Kyiv. 

Asked whether the shooting was at all tied to the war in Ukraine, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said: “There is no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians, were involved in the shooting, but again, this just broke. We’re taking a look at it, but I would disabuse you at this early hour have any connection to Ukraine.”

Videos posted to social media appear to show chaos inside Moscow's Crocus City Hall during and after a terrorist attack.

Some videos include what sound like gunshots and show men with rifles, as concertgoers frantically try to exit the venue.

State Department issues warning to Americans in Moscow

Jason Abbruzzese

The State Department said that the U.S. Embassy in Moscow is aware of the terrorist attack on Crocus City Hall and that U.S. citizens should avoid the area and follow the instructions of local authorities.

"The U.S. government’s ability to provide routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens in Russia is severely limited, particularly in areas far from the U.S. embassy in Moscow, due to Russian government limitations on travel for U.S. embassy personnel and staffing, and the ongoing suspension of operations, including consular services, at U.S. consulates in Russia," the State Department said in a message posted to its website .

'What a nightmare in Crocus,' Widow of opposition leader Alexei Navalny condolences about concert attack

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny who died in prison last month, expressed her condolences about the attack Friday.

"What a nightmare in Crocus," Navalnaya wrote on X. "Condolences to the families of the victims and quick recovery to the injured. Everyone involved in this crime must be found and held accountable."

320 firefighters, 3 helicopters working to put out fire

Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations said the number of rescue crews responding to the attack is growing and now includes more than 320 firefighters, 130 emergency vehicles and three helicopters dumping water on the burning concert venue.

Moscow regional governor says 40 dead, more than 100 injured

Moscow Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram that at least 40 people are dead and more than 100 injured in the terrorist attack, confirming figures previously reported by Russian state news.

Putin informed about concert venue attack 'in the first minutes,' Kremlin spokesperson says

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said President Vladimir Putin was informed about the shooting at the Crocus concert hall "in the first minutes" of the attack, Russian state news agency RIA reported.

The president is receiving information about what is happening and the measures being taken through all relevant services and is giving necessary instructions, Peskov said according to RIA.

Russian journalist was inside concert venue when gunmen entered

Russian news agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram that one of its reporters was inside the venue when gunmen entered and began shooting concertgoers.

The journalist said that at least three unmasked gunmen in camouflage entered the hall a few minutes before 8 p.m. Moscow time. They shot people point-blank and threw incendiary bombs, according to the journalist.

Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson calls incident 'bloody terrorist attack'

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's foreign ministry, called the Friday night incident at the Crocus City Hall in Moscow a "bloody terrorist attack" as she called for "strong condemnation" from the international community.

"Now, as the Russian authorities have stated, all efforts are being devoted to saving people," Zakharova said. "The entire world community is obliged to condemn this monstrous crime!"

U.S. national security spokesperson says embassy has told Americans to avoid large gatherings in Moscow

Kyla Guilfoil

National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby addressed the attack in Moscow at a White House press briefing Friday afternoon, calling it a “terrible, terrible shooting attack.”

“The images are just horrible and just hard to watch and our thoughts obviously are going to be with the the victims,” Kirby said.

Kirby added that the U.S. embassy has notified all Americans in Moscow to avoid large gatherings, concerts, shopping malls, etc., and “stay put where they are” for their safety.

Russian media says 40 dead, more than 100 injured at concert attack

TASS, Russia's state-owned news agency, and RIA Novosti are reporting that Russia's FSB security agency has put the preliminary casualty count at 40 dead and more than 100 injured by a terrorist attack on a Moscow-area concert venue.

NBC News has not confirmed those casualty numbers.

Roof of concert venue at risk of collapse, Russian media says

Russian news agency RIA Novosti said on Telegram that the roof of the building near the concert venue's stage has begun to collapse.

Video posted to Telegram by RIA Novosti showed fire continue to blaze inside the venue.

Moscow area governor says more than 70 ambluances at scene of attack

Andrei Vorobyov, Moscow's regional governor, said on Telegram that more than 70 ambulances have been dispatched to the scene of concert venue attack.

“Everything is being done at the scene to save people," he wrote in the Telegram message. "The Special Rapid Response Unit (SOBR) has been deployed. There are over 70 ambulance carriages near Crocus, doctors provide the necessary assistance to all victims."

Nigel Chiwaya

Russia’s prosecutor general office says number of victims still being determined

Russia's prosecutor general said on Telegram that officials are working to determine how many people have been killed or hurt in the concert attack.

“On behalf of Igor Krasnov, the prosecutor of the Moscow region has gone to the scene of the incident at Crocus City Hall to coordinate the actions of law enforcement agencies," the prosecutor general's Telegram account posted. "Tonight, before the start of the event in the concert hall in Krasnogorsk, unknown men in camouflage clothes broke into the building and started shooting."

"The number of victims is being determined, a fire started in the entertainment center building, and citizens are being evacuated."

Moscow's mayor cancels weekend events

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on Telegram that he was canceling all public events in Moscow this weekend.

"I have taken the decision to cancel all sports, cultural and other public events in Moscow this weekend," he said. "I ask of you to treat this measure with understanding."

Popular rock band was to play sold-out venue that can hold 9,500

Tim Stelloh

A popular rock band was scheduled to play what appeared to be a sold-out show at the Moscow concert hall where there were reports of gunmen in combat fatigues opening fire.

Picnic, formed in 1978, was to play at Crocus City Hall, west of central Moscow.

The multilevel facility in Krasnogorsk has a maximum capacity of 9,527 people. Booking sites show the event was sold out.

Russia's aviation agency says additional security added to Moscow airports

The Russian aviation agency Rosaviatsiya said that additional security measures are being introduced in Moscow airports

"Due to increased security measures, we ask passengers to arrive at Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Vnukovo and Zhukovsky airports in advance," the agency said on the Telegram messaging app.

Moscow's emergency ministry says it is working to extinguish fire

Moscow’s emegency ministry said it was working to extinguish a fire that began at the music venue.

The ministry said about 100 people were evacuated from the building, and it was working to rescue people from the roof.

Russian media says state security taking action

Russia's news outlet RIA Novosti said that the country's security agency, the FSB, is taking measures to respond to the shooting at a concert hall near Moscow.

Videos posted by Russian media show men with rifles moving through area

Extended rounds of gunfire could be heard on multiple videos posted by Russian media and Telegram channels. One showed two men with rifles moving through a concert hall. Another one showed a man inside the auditorium, saying the assailants set it on fire, with incessant gunshots ringing out in the background.

Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, said he was heading to the area and set up a task force to deal with the damage. He didn’t immediately offer any further details.

Russian media reports said that riot police units were being sent to the area as people were being evacuated.

Russian news outlets report gunman opened fire at Moscow concert hall

Several gunmen in combat fatigues burst into a big concert hall in Moscow on Friday and fired automatic weapons at the crowd, injuring an unspecified number of people, Russian media said.

Russian news reports said that the assailants also used explosives, causing a massive blaze at the Crocus City Hall on the western edge of Moscow. Video posted on social media showed huge plumes of black smoke rising over the building.

Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency reported that at least three people in combat fatigues fired weapons. The state Tass news agency also reported the shooting.

U.S. warned of imminent Moscow attack by ‘extremists,’ urges citizens to avoid crowds

Patrick Smith

U.S. citizens in  Moscow  had been warned to avoid large gatherings earlier this month because of heightened fears of a terrorist attack.

The U.S. Embassy in the Russian capital said it was “monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours.”

U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, monitor local media for updates and “be aware of your surroundings,” it said in a brief  online update .

Read the full story here.