Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The city hall of Belfort is a municipal building built in the 4th quarter of the 18th century, on the square of Armes of the old town. Originally, it was the house Noblat, built in 1724 by the architect Jacques Philippe Eléonor Mareschal for François-Bernardin Noblat, a notable local. The neo-classical style of the building, marked by doric columns and a clock tower, reflects the architectural influence of the era.

Acquised by the municipality in 1785, the house was transformed into a town hall under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Kléber, then inspector of public buildings. The building resisted the bombardment of the siege of Belfort (1870-1871) during the Franco-Prussian war and welcomed the first French soldiers during the liberation of 1944. Its symbolic role in local history makes it a key monument to collective memory.

The interior is home to remarkable spaces, including the Deliberium Hall (the so-called Kléber Hall), listed as a historic monument in 1922, and the Hall of Honour, inaugurated in 1810, decorated with paintings illustrating important events in Belfort. The facades, roofs and other rooms (vestibulum, honorary staircase, wedding hall) have been protected since 2025, highlighting their heritage value.

Built in red sandstone and cement coated, the building is distinguished by its symmetrical nine-span facade, with a central entrance framed with columns. The clock tower, overlooking the roof, is a characteristic element of the urban landscape. Owned by the municipality, City Hall remains an active place for civic life and official celebrations.

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