Théodore Ballu

Théodore Ballu was a French architect best known for his work on the beautification of Paris. Théodore Ballu was admitted to the École des Beaux-Arts in 1835 where he trained under Louis-Hippolyte Lebas. He obtained the Prix de Rome in 1840 and stayed at the Villa Medici from 1841 to 1845. During his stay in Italy, Ballu went to Greece to study the antiques ruins. After his return to Paris, Théodore Ballu had a brilliant career, eventually becoming the city’s Chief Architect. Among his best-known works are the belfry of the church of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois, the Church of La Trinité and the reconstruction of the Hotel de Ville.