53 million euros to demolish a building from 1888: How the 'reconstruction' of the National Assembly's new reception pavilion turned into a political battle

A 53 million euro project to construct a new reception pavilion for the French National Assembly has ignited a political firestorm, drawing sharp criticism from opposition parties and heritage preservation groups.

Elected in 2022, National Assembly President Yaël Braun-Pivet championed the project as part of her initiative to open the Palais Bourbon to the public. However, the plan, estimated to cost 53 million euros, has faced significant backlash. On August 5, two vice-presidents from the National Rally (RN) party, Sébastien Chenu and Hélène Laporte, formally requested a new review of the project by the Assembly's Bureau. The following day, the LIOT group called for its outright abandonment, while Rachida Dati, a former minister, urged action to prevent "heritage destruction."

A petition launched by the heritage group Sites & Monuments has garnered over 90,000 signatures, reflecting widespread public concern. In response to the mounting opposition, Braun-Pivet stated on Franceinfo that she was "overwhelmed" by the criticism, suggesting that people were reacting to a project they did not fully understand. The tensions surrounding this long-standing project escalated after the Paris Council's vote on July 16, which approved changes to urban planning rules that had previously blocked the project's advancement.

The project involves demolishing an 1888 building to make way for the new pavilion, intended to enhance public access to the Assembly. Critics argue that the demolition constitutes an unacceptable loss of heritage, while supporters maintain it is a necessary step for modernization and increased accessibility. The debate highlights a broader tension between preserving historical sites and adapting them for contemporary public use.

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