mairie

Mairie is the term used in France and other Francophone regions to designate the town hall, the building that houses the municipal government, and, by extension, the local government administration of a commune or municipality. The word derives from maire (mayor) and historically referred to the office or authority of the mayor.

In France, the mairie is the seat of the mayor (le maire) and the municipal council (conseil municipal). It houses the civil registration office (bureau de l'état civil), which handles civil status acts such as births, marriages, and deaths, and issues copies of records. The mairie also administers local services and permits, including urban planning permissions, local taxation, elections, and the maintenance of local roads and public spaces. It may host services related to families, housing, culture, and social affairs, and it often coordinates official ceremonies, such as weddings performed by the mayor or a deputy.

The mayor is elected by the municipal council, and the council is elected by residents of the commune. Depending on the size and region, the building may be called either mairie or hôtel de ville; larger towns are more likely to use hôtel de ville, while smaller communities commonly use mairie.

Outside France, the institution exists in many Francophone areas, including Belgium, Switzerland, Canada (notably Quebec), and various former colonies. While the core function—a locally elected government handling civil and administrative tasks—remains similar, details vary according to national and regional law.