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Origin and history

The Town Hall of Lyons-la-Forêt was built between 1782 and 1783 south of the castle of Lyons, on the order of the Duke of Penthièvre, then owner of the estate. It replaced the old audience (or royal audience), demolished in 1776, of which the cachots and the chapel Saint-Nicolas still remain, rebuilt that same year. The building incorporated re-used elements of the previous construction and was decorated with the duke's coat of arms, carved by Frédéric Wiffel, a local artist.

In 1808, the building became both a justice of peace and a town hall, marking its administrative conversion after the Revolution. The southern facade was modified around 1865, while the interior spaces retained remains of the old prison (cells, corridors, gates and gates) and the bailiff room, including the audience and the chapel. Today, the building houses the town hall and tourist office, after extensive restoration work related to this new assignment.

The parts protected by the Historical Monuments (Decree of 25 March 1996) specifically concern the former bailiff and the prison, excluding modern functional facilities. The building thus illustrates the evolution of judicial and municipal institutions in Normandy, from the Ancien Régime to the contemporary era. The artisans who participated in its construction include Loisel (carpenter) and Frédéric Wiffel (sculptor), whose contributions are still visible.

The site is the property of the commune of Lyons-la-Forêt, in the department of Eure (region Normandy). Its official address, recorded in the Mérimée base, is the street of the Town Hall, although GPS coordinates point towards 9 rue de l'Hôtel de Ville. The location is considered satisfactory a priori (note 6/10), reflecting an average accuracy in the geographical archives.

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