This photochrom of Hôtel de Ville, taken around 1880, comes from the Oilette series, but the photographer remains unknown. Oilette was a popular brand under the British company Raphael Tuck & Sons, known for producing vibrant, mass-printed postcards in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, often capturing iconic landmarks like this one.

The Hôtel de Ville in Paris had just been rebuilt after its destruction during the 1871 Paris Commune, with reconstruction finishing in 1882.

In the 1880s, Paris was thriving during the Belle Époque, a time of cultural growth and innovation, as the city prepared for the 1889 Exposition Universelle. The Seine River in the foreground was a hub of activity, with boats offering leisurely rides to take in the city’s sights.

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