3-089-464 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Hôtel de Ville after the fire of 1871, (1871). The fires of Paris during the Paris Commune of 1871 refer to the widespread destruction of public monuments and private buildings in the city, particularly during "Bloody Week" (Semaine sanglante), which took place from 21 to 28 May. This was the period when government forces from Versailles recaptured Paris from the Communards. Most of the fires were set by members of the Commune, known as Communards or Federates.