Since January 2020, the Capitole de Toulouse, an emblematic city landmark, has been the subject of a vast restoration and renovation project initiated by the City of Toulouse. The objective is to renovate, embellish, and secure the town hall, including the restoration of the main and side facades, as well as enhancing the interiors and historic halls, while integrating a contemporary artistic dimension.
The construction site is proceeding in several phases: facade restoration ran from January 2020 to November 2025, followed by the renovation of historic halls from summer 2021 to November 2025. The next major step, the renovation of the monumental staircase, is scheduled from October 2026 to the end of summer 2027. The City of Toulouse has invested over 4 million euros in these heritage restorations, with support from the State via the DRAC.
The monumental staircase, created in 1674 by Toulouse architect Jean-Pierre Rivalz and rebuilt in 1886, is a listed historic monument. It serves as the entrance to the ceremonial halls and is adorned with white Carrara marble, an imposing sculpted balustrade, as well as paintings and iconographic works honoring Toulouse's history. Among these are works by Jean-Paul Laurens and Paul-Albert Laurens.
The renovation of the staircase, which began on October 5, 2026, and will conclude in the summer of 2027, aims to restore its architectural and decorative splendor. Works include the restoration of murals, cleaning of pictorial works, renewal of gilding, cleaning of stone steps, restoration of the floor mosaic, and marble balustrades. The cost is estimated at €410,000 excluding tax, funded 70% by the City of Toulouse and 30% by the DRAC Occitanie. Heritage architect Axel Letellier is overseeing these interventions.
To minimize public impact, the monumental staircase will be entirely closed from October 2026 to April 2027 (Phase 1), while the ceremonial halls will remain accessible. From April to the end of August 2027 (Phase 2), the staircase will be accessible, but the first-floor gallery will be temporarily closed. Subsequent phases may proceed with or without public access.
Furthermore, the Municipal Council Chamber, a listed historic monument inaugurated in 1897, reopened its doors on November 26, 2025, after 1.5 years of renovation. Overseen by Axel Letellier, this €550,000 renovation (30% subsidized by the DRAC) involved the rehabilitation of paintings, busts, ornamentation, gilding, plinths, carpeting, and lighting. Two contemporary artworks were added following a competition chaired by Mayor Jean-Luc Moudenc, selecting the project by artist Olivier Vadrot in collaboration with Ida Tursic & Wilfried Mille.
In late April 2026, the 10 terracotta busts by Marc Arcis and his workshop, dating from 1674-1677, were returned to their place in the Municipal Council Chamber after complete restoration. These works represent historical Toulouse figures such as Theodoric I, Raymond IV, Guy du Faur de Pibrac, and François Maynard.
The facades of the Capitole, designed by architect Guillaume Cammas in the 1750s-1760s, were also restored between 2020 and 2025. Works included the main facade, side facades, and rear facade. Other interior projects have taken place, such as the restoration of the glass roof and ceiling of the Henri-Martin hall, as well as the enhancement of the statue of Henri IV and the capitulary plaques.
