Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), Avignon

The handsome Town Hall of Avignon sits next to the Opera Theatre d'Avignon on the Clock Square, the most important square of the city.

In 1447 the councils of Avignon bought the Gothic Library of Albane from the Benedictines of Saint Laurent and tried to make it into a public building. They changed the tower into a belfry but no further significant progress was made until the 19th century. At that time the Regional Council provided the city with a genuine city hall.

Joseph-Auguste Joffry made the designs. To perk up the facade he added a balcony and corinthian columns and peristyle columns.

The hall is quite handsome from the outside with flags, columns and shaded trees. Although it is an inviting sight, entry is only by guided tours. Security is tight. There are beautiful painted ceilings in the upper rooms. On the ground floor are memorials for soldiers that have died in the wars of France.