The City hall of Reims is located on the former Market square of the city. In French, the City hall is called the Hotel de Ville. The city Council bought the land in the Market square, and the first city Hall of Reims was built in 1499.
A century later, with the increase in the city`s population, it became clear that the City Hall building needed to be enlarged. On June 18, 1627, the new building of the Hotel de Ville de Reims was inaugurated. The project provided for the construction of a large building in the form of a square with a courtyard inside. From the market square, we can see the facade of only one building, which was opened first. The City hall moved here in 1636. However, the construction of the other wings of the City Hall was delayed for two centuries. They were built very slowly, and the shape of a square with a courtyard, the building of the city Hall of Reims acquired only in 1880.
During the World War I, the city Hall of Reims (Hotel de Ville) was completely destroyed. In 1924, the building began to be restored under the direction of architect Roger-Henri Expert. In 1928, the restored Reims city hall was inaugurated. The opening ceremony was attended by French President Gaston Doumergue.
On the facade of the City hall, you can see an equestrian sculpture of king Louis XIII in bronze, by the sculptor Nicolas Jacques. A clock tower with an octagonal clock is built above the southern facade of the City hall of Reims. In the center of the courtyard of the city hall there is a sculpture symbolizing a vine from champagne.
