Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Boulogne-Billancourt Town Hall, built between 1931 and 1934, is a major work by architect Tony Garnier, assisted by Jacques Debat-Ponsan. Initiated by Mayor André Morizet, this project is inspired by Belgian public buildings, including the Schaerbeek communal hotel, to create a functional and transparent "municipal factory". The building, made of reinforced concrete, consists of two distinct parts: a space dedicated to receptions (revealed from Comblanchien stone) and an administrative block (buffed concrete), organized around a central hall illuminated by zenithal glass windows.

The Art Deco style, dominant in Boulogne-Billancourt in the 1920s-1930s, marks the architectural identity of the building. The ramps, partitions and doors, made by Jean Prouvé's workshops, reinforce its industrial and innovative character. The window hall, with its three levels of suspended galleries, symbolizes optimal accessibility for the public, reflecting Mayor Morizet's desire for modernity. The facades and roofs have been protected as historical monuments since 1975.

Tony Garnier, a renowned architect, conceived the town hall as a model of administrative efficiency, although Jacques Debat-Ponsan, his brother-in-law and collaborator, supervised the works in his absence. André Morizet, socialist mayor, embodies this ambition to transform Boulogne-Billancourt into a pioneering city, combining social progress and architectural innovation. The building remains a significant testimony of this time, combining functionality and avant-garde aesthetics.

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