Initial construction 1393 (≈ 1393)
First town hall erected on 8 September.
1573
Renaissance transformation
Renaissance transformation 1573 (≈ 1573)
Richard Maire replaced the façade and enlarged the building.
17 décembre 1912
Partial MH classification
Partial MH classification 17 décembre 1912 (≈ 1912)
Facade and roofs protected by decree.
25 juin 2015
Criminal fire
Criminal fire 25 juin 2015 (≈ 2015)
Total destruction of the interior by Bertrand Teyou.
4 mai 2019
Re-opening after restoration
Re-opening after restoration 4 mai 2019 (≈ 2019)
End of post-fire work, access restored.
20 février 2019
Supplementary MH registration
Supplementary MH registration 20 février 2019 (≈ 2019)
Extension of protection to cellars and facades.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facade and roof: classification by decree of 17 December 1912; The facades, roofs and cellars of the city hall, in full, located 52 Grande Rue and as delimited by a red border on the plan annexed to the decree (Box AB 21): inscription by order of 20 February 2019
Key figures
Richard Maire - Architect
Author of the Renaissance transformation in 1573.
Charles Quint - Emperor of the Holy Empire
Equestrian statue in the niche until the Revolution.
Bertrand Teyou - Firefighter
Responsible for internal destruction in 2015.
Origin and history
The town hall of Besançon, located on the 8th September in the historical district of La Boucle, finds its origins in the 14th century. A first building was erected in 1393 at the present site, between St Peter's Church and the courthouse. This central site reflects from that time its administrative importance for the city, then under the influence of the Holy Roman Empire.
In 1573, architect Richard Maire profoundly transformed the building in the Italian Renaissance style, characteristic of the civil palaces of the period. The facade, decorated with bosses, incorporates a large niche housing until the Revolution a bronze equestrian statue of Charles Quint, symbol of Besançon's historical ties with the Empire. This change marks the affirmation of municipal power and the adoption of Italian aesthetic canons in Franche-Comté.
The monument received successive protections as historical monuments: classification of its façade and roofs in 1912, followed by a partial inscription in 2019 including cellars and all elevations. These measures preserve a major testimony of Renaissance architecture in eastern France, despite the vagaries of its history.
On June 25, 2015, arson ravages the entire interior of the city hall, attributed to Bertrand Teyou. Four years of work are needed to restore the building, which finally reopens on May 4, 2019. This recent event recalls the vulnerability of the heritage to malicious acts, while stressing the resilience of local institutions.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review