Town Hall

With those French flags and the Republic’s motto inscribed on the facade, it’s pretty clear that we’re standing in front of the Blois Town Hall, located just behind the Saint-Louis Cathedral. But it hasn’t always been a town hall. It’s seen its share of changes over the centuries. The building first opened its doors in 1700 as the bishop’s palace. You see, Louis XII had just established a new bishopric in Blois eight years earlier, so the future bishop and his staff needed a residence. In 1905, Church and State were legally separated. The bishop’s palace became a museum of natural history and fine arts, and was eventually transformed into a hospital. It underwent many changes until 1940, when wartime bombings destroyed the old town hall. The city council was forced to move in here and the former bishop’s palace was completely redesigned inside and out! The bishop’s apartment on the upper floor, for example, gave way to the council chamber and the mayor’s office. It’s no wonder that the people of Blois hold their city hall so dear, given its rich and varied history. Now, let’s talk a bit about its design, because if you’re a fan of fine architecture, Blois is sure to impress. Designed by Jacques V Gabriel, the City Hall has a total of four levels, the very first of which opens onto the lower terrace via semi-circular bay windows. The columns at the entrance, which are decorated with flags, were added during the tenure of Bishop Thémines.