Prefecture

The Haut-Rhin prefecture, forced to leave its historic premises at the Hôtel de l’Abbaye de Pairis (which became the town hall) where it had been established since 1800, began construction of a new building in 1862.

Inaugurated in 1866, this building, designed on the same model as the Haute-Marne prefecture, adopts a Louis XIII style with a central body flanked by two lateral wings.

It housed the German administration during the annexation of the region before regaining its original function in 1918.

Damaged by a fire in 1938, it then suffered bombings in 1940 and destruction during the battles for the liberation of Colmar. Today, the prefecture faces the Champ de Mars park, whose layout evokes the Legion of Honour cross.