The building, inaugurated in 1883, was one of the city’s architectural landmarks. Its elegant façade, clock tower, and Neo-Renaissance-style details had made it a protected monument.
But on October 17, 2026, during a day of protests over the cost of living, a group of masked demonstrators stormed the building and, according to authorities, started the fire.
The flames consumed the roof, causing its iconic tower to collapse, as residents watched helplessly.
The destruction reminded many of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in 2019.
“It broke my heart. I saw Notre Dame again, but this time it was our city”, a resident lamented to Reuters.
Mayor Guillaume Guérin condemned the attack and assured the public that, although the building had suffered immense damage, municipal services would continue to operate.
A monument that had withstood more than a century of history was gravely wounded in a matter of hours.
Watch the video here: