The forecourt of Paris City Hall is transformed into an urban forest

The square in front of the town hall is being transformed! Starting this Wednesday, October 16, 2024, work to green the emblematic square begins. Over a period of eight months, 55 trees will be planted to combat heat islands and promote urban biodiversity. This symbolic project is part of Anne Hidalgo's ecological policy, with completion scheduled for June 2025.

The Place de l'Hôtel is being transformed into an island of freshness. This Wednesday, October 16, sees the start of the work that will give the area a completely new look. We'll have to wait 8 months, i.e. around June 30 2025, if all goes well, to enjoy this transformed space once again.

This greening project aims to transform the 4th arrondissement 's forecourt into a green space. 55 trees will be planted on this vast concrete slab, and groves of plants will adorn the sides of the esplanade. This process is part of a wider initiative by the mayor's office to reintroduce nature into the urban environment, despite technical constraints such as the presence of an underground parking lot. This future urban forest will help reduce heat islands, while providing a haven for local biodiversity.

This project, announced in 2019 by the Mayor of Paris, is part of an ambitious plan to create several mini-forests in the heart of the city. Although some projects have been abandoned, the Hôtel de Ville project is moving forward, with the aim of rethinking public space and offering a more resilient city in the face of global warming. The creation of this new forest will help to make central Paris a more pleasant place to live, while providing a breath of fresh air for Parisians and visitors alike.

Revegetation work will also include refurbishment of the fountains, installation of an appropriate watering system, and installation of a substrate optimized for tree development. These technical interventions will be closely monitored to ensure the longevity of this green space. Parisians will be able to discover this new urban lung from next summer, a powerful symbol of the environmental change underway in the capital.

When the work is completed, the square will have two new green spaces on either side of the esplanade, while its center will remain clear and easily accessible. However, despite this central opening, the Christmas market will have to be relocated, as there will no longer be enough room for activities such as toboggan runs or the climbing tower. The Place de la Concorde will undoubtedly be the place to be if the Paris 2024 Christmas Village is to appear.

In line with town-planning requirements, notably to preserve views of the nearby Notre-Dame Cathedral, the south side of the square will open onto a vast clearing, offering an unobstructed view of the edifice. Once this new planted area is completed, a fourth urban forest should be created on Place du Colonel-Fabien, following on from those on Place de Catalogne and Bois de Charonne.

Over and above its aesthetic appeal, this urban forest is a direct response to climate issues, promoting coolness in our ultra-urban environment.