National Assembly pavilion project faces heritage group's strong opposition after Paris Council decision

The heritage defense association Sites & Monuments is strongly opposing the construction of a new reception pavilion at the entrance of the National Assembly in Paris. The association deems the project "hideous" and condemns its substantial cost, estimated at over 52.8 million euros, which will be drawn from the Assembly's reserves.

Julien Lacaze, president of Sites & Monuments, criticized the Paris Council's recent decision to approve a modification of the urban planning rules for the 7th arrondissement. This change legally enables the construction of the new building, which the association argues will "uglify" Paris. The association launched a petition against the project in June 2025, which has garnered over 111,800 signatures, supported by numerous public figures who have also denounced the "hideous" and costly nature of the building.

Previously, heritage regulations had hindered the project, leading the President of the Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, to suspend work in February. The building permit, filed in June 2025, required modification to comply with the sensitive Palais-Bourbon area's preservation plan. To overcome this obstacle, the prefect of Île-de-France initiated a targeted modification of the plan, with the City of Paris providing a favorable opinion on the urban planning rule changes.

Despite the Paris Council's approval, several steps remain before work can resume. The prefect must still obtain positive opinions from the Architect of French Buildings and the local commission for remarkable heritage sites. Emmanuel Grégoire of the City of Paris stated that the planned constructions align with existing building scales and respect the site's architectural and heritage characteristics.