Alençon Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville d'Alençon)
About Alençon Town Hall (Hôtel de Ville d'Alençon)
The Alençon Town Hall is a neoclassical building constructed between 1783-1797 by architect Jean Delarue on the former site of the Château des Ducs d'Alençon. Built entirely of cut stone, the elegant curved façade features pilasters, a pediment with balustrades, and a campanile housing three historic bells including a 15th-century tocsin bell. The building's refined Louis XVI style has drawn comparisons to the Petit Trianon at Versailles. The façade has been protected as a Monument Historique since 1926. As an active government building, interior access is limited to administrative services and special events like Journées du Patrimoine in September, but the exterior can be freely admired from Place Foch.
Interesting Facts
Construction of the Town Hall spanned the entire French Revolution. Work began in 1783 under King Louis XVI's reign, continued through the Revolutionary turmoil of 1789, and was completed in 1797 under the Directory government, making it a physical witness to one of history's most dramatic political transformations.
The campanile contains a tocsin bell dating from the 15th century, predating the building itself by over 300 years. This alarm bell once called citizens to arms or warned of fires and emergencies in medieval Alençon, and was preserved when the new Town Hall was constructed.
Architect Jean Delarue trained at the prestigious Académie du Louvre in Paris before being appointed to Alençon in 1766. He also designed the embellishment of the Hôtel de Fromont, which now serves as the Prefecture building, and planned the layout of the Bretagne district's parks and streets.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
Place Foch, 61000 Alençon, Orne, France
Website
https://www.alencon.fr/Day Routes
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