How often does a town hall become a work of art? Here at the Mairie de Vincennes, it truly has. This isn’t just where the mayor works. It is a place of history and beauty.
The Mairie de Vincennes stands proudly at 53 bis rue de Fontenay. It houses the mayor’s office, the archives, and serves as a reception venue. Its walls echo with the stories of Vincennes.
Originally built between 1887 and 1891, Eugène Calinaud designed the Mairie de Vincennes in its first version. Its neo-Renaissance style is evident. Look at the large mullioned windows. Admire the stained glass. Note the high roof and the campanile. Various materials like Euville rock and Chauvigny stone construct it.
By 1931, Vincennes’ population had doubled. The town hall felt cramped. Henri Quarez and Gustave Lapostolle expanded it. The new town hall opened on March 25, 1935. Pierre-Etienne Flandin was the council chairman at the time.
Step inside the Mairie de Vincennes. A monumental staircase awaits. It features forged iron, cast iron, and gilded bronze railings. The staircase leads to the grand hall and the wedding hall. Above, a stunning cupola rises. It weighs thirty tons and has a diameter of 12.20 meters. Ten thousand glass elements form a mosaic-like window.
The wedding hall is a treasure. Maurice Chabas painted frescoes here in 1902. They earned historical monument status in 1982. On the south facade, six paintings depict Vincennes’ history. Spot the donjon and the village gate. See the obelisk and the artillery range. The Marne valley and the town hall also feature. A twenty-five-meter mural of Lake Daumesnil adorns the north facade. The soft colors blend with woodwork and stained glass.
In 1999, the Regional Heritage and Sites Commission supported protection. They suggested listing the facades, roofs, and staircase. The grand hall, wedding hall, and the first deputy mayor’s office were also included. In 2000, the Higher Commission for Historical Monuments agreed. It proposed classifying specific parts as historical monuments. This included the main staircase and its cage. A ministerial decree from July 19, 2000, also protected porcelain tableware from the Vincennes factory.
The Mairie de Vincennes is more than a government building. It is a testament to art, history, and community. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty. Remember the stories it holds within its walls.