Hôtel de Ville

Hôtel de Ville station sits between two of the most important cultural destinations in central Paris. North, the Pompidou Centre - Centre Georges Pompidou - is five minutes walk, with its inside-out architecture and the most visited modern art museum in Europe. East, the Marais spreads through its network of medieval streets toward Place des Vosges, the Jewish quarter on Rue des Rosiers and the city's principal gay village around Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie.

The square above the station - Place de l'Hôtel de Ville - transforms with the seasons. A free ice rink opens each December and January, beach volleyball courts appear in summer under the Paris Plages programme, and the square hosts concerts and public screenings throughout the year.

Station Overview

Zone 1. Lines 1 and 11. No step-free access.

Travel Tips

• The Pompidou Centre plaza (free to access) has a spectacular kinetic fountain by Tinguely and Niki de Saint Phalle
• Place des Vosges, Paris's oldest planned square (1612), is 10 minutes walk east through the Marais - beautiful at any time of day
• The free ice rink on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in December is one of Paris's best seasonal attractions
• Rue des Rosiers (Jewish quarter) has the best falafel in Paris at L'As du Fallafel - expect a queue

Nearby Attractions

Pompidou Centre - 5 minutes walk. Modern art museum in one of the world's most distinctive buildings. Free on first Sundays; admission otherwise.

Le Marais - Immediately east. Medieval streets with Place des Vosges, Jewish quarter, galleries and outstanding independent restaurants.

Timings and Best Time to Travel

Standard Métro hours. The Marais is particularly good on Sunday mornings when many shops that are closed across Paris are open here.