Fire in Bordeaux

  The splendid 18th-century Hôtel de Ville in Bordeaux was set alight last night as part of protests against pension reforms. Fire ravaged the main door of the building and engulfed the front hall.

The former Palais Rohan, was built for Archbishop Mériadec de Rohan over the course of more than a decade, beginning in 1772. It has an austere Louis XVI-style façade and features a fine monumental staircase, considered one of the best examples in France.

Fortunately firefighters were soon able to bring yesterday's blaze under control and initial reports suggest there has been little damage to the building.