Hôtel de Ville, Charenton-le-Pont

The town hall of Charenton-le-Pont stands as a unique blend of two different eras, centered around a building that dates back to the early seventeenth century. This core structure, known as the Pavillon Antoine de Navarre, was originally commissioned by Nicolas de Verdun, the president of the Parlement of Paris, and completed in 1612. Its striking red brick and stone facade was inspired by the design of the famous Place des Vosges in Paris, reflecting the architectural trends favored by the royal court at the time. While the rest of the original nine-hectare estate was eventually sold off and developed into the town center, this pavilion survived as the sole remaining example of that period in the city. By the late nineteenth century, the building had become too small for the growing municipality, leading to an expansion designed by architect Leandre Gravereaux that integrated the old pavilion into a larger complex, which continues to serve as the heart of local government today.