This building is the Mairie (pronounced mah-ree) of the 18th arrondissement. Each arrondissement in Paris has a Mairie which is the equivalent of a city hall. This one has been around since the 1800’s and I thought it was kind of cool that such an old building had such a new SUV parked in front of it.
The Mairie is where you must go and get married legally before you can have your religious ceremony (if you choose to have a religious ceremony). Religious leaders do not have the authority to marry you legally, that can only be done by the officers at the Mairie.
Can you be married legally by religious leaders where you live?