The Place de l'Hôtel de Ville in Paris is being transformed into an island of freshness. Launched on October 16, the work is now complete. The transformed space can now be enjoyed once again. The Hôtel de Ville de Paris urban forest was inaugurated on Saturday June 21, 2025, the day of the Fête de la Musique! The Hôtel de Ville forecourt has been accessible again since the same date. This urban forest on the Hôtel de Ville forecourt is the third in Paris, after the one on the Place de Catalogne and the one in the Bois de Charonne.
This greening is part of a vast plan to combat global warming and urban heat islands. The project was designed to bring freshness to a busy, mineral space, while at the same time enriching Paris's biodiversity. By redesigning the forecourt, Paris City Hall is pursuing its objective of making the city more climate-resilient, while offering a pleasant living space for Parisians and visitors alike.
The greening project covers an area of 2,500 square meters, including 1,000 square meters of open ground. Between 25% and 30% of the surface will be planted. Lee parvis is home to some 50 large trees, including local species resistant to climate change, such as oak, hornbeam, honey locust and Julian's hackberry. These trees are accompanied by more than 20,000 plants, including shrubs and ferns to create a forest atmosphere. Wooded copses have been installed on either side of the forecourt to provide cool, shady areas.
No, the historic fountains on the Hôtel de Ville forecourt have been integrated into the project. They are now surrounded by vegetation, providing a balance between architectural heritage and the new urban forest. These watering holes remain places for visitors to sit and rest, while adding an aesthetic touch to the transformed space.
The parvis de l'Hôtel de Ville is an important gathering place, particularly for events such as Paris Plages and the commemorations of the Liberation of Paris. The center of the forecourt will remain unobstructed, enabling us to continue hosting major events, although the space will be slightly reduced to accommodate the new planted landscaping.
The presence of an underground parking lot beneath the forecourt presented a major technical challenge. To ensure the viability of the project without modifying the existing structure, the trees were planted on the two available areas of open ground. The substrate and root systems of the trees were specially adapted to ensure good growth despite these constraints. An optimized watering system was also installed to maintain the health of these new green spaces.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this urban forest embodies a strong commitment to sustainability and climate adaptation. Thanks to the species chosen for their resilience, this green space will provide a breath of fresh air for local residents, offering a soothing, verdant setting right in the heart of Paris. This new, verdant square is a symbol of the ecological transition underway in the capital, providing a glimpse of the urban future where green reclaims its rights.
In line with town-planning requirements, notably to preserve views of the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral, the south side of the square opens onto a vast clearing, offering an unobstructed view of the edifice. Now that this new planted area has been completed, a fourth urban forest should be created on Place du Colonel-Fabien, following on from those on Place de Catalogne and Bois de Charonne.
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Location
Paris City Hall
hôtel de ville de paris
75004 Paris 4
Access
Metro 1 and 11 Hôtel de Ville
Prices
Free
