Viroflay Mairie (Viroflay Town Hall), Versailles

Serving as Viroflay’s administrative hub, the Town Hall also plays a symbolic role in defining the town’s civic identity through its distinctive architecture. Often called the “Grand Chalet,” the building was commissioned in the mid-19th century by Charles de Morny, the influential half-brother of Emperor Napoleon III, at a time when Viroflay was evolving into a more residential community with convenient rail and road links to Paris and Versailles.

Its architecture combines the solidity of local millstone masonry with the warmth of timber, giving it the character of a grand alpine lodge. Steeply pitched roofs and finely worked wooden details recall the traditional Russian isba-a stylistic nod to de Morny’s wife, Princess Sophie Troubetzkoï.

Today, the Town Hall remains at the heart of Viroflay’s civic life. Beyond housing the municipal administration, it provides a dignified setting for official ceremonies, cultural activities, and community events.