Place de la Concorde in Paris, what is the chosen project and what will the garden square look like?

The Concorde Commission has made its decision. On Thursday March 27, the City of Paris held a press conference to announce the winner of the project to redevelop the Place de la Concorde. Architect Philippe Prost, assisted by landscape architects Bruel-Delmar, will steer the transformation of this emblematic site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Place de la Concorde, a vast Parisian crossroads steeped in history, is about to undergo a profound metamorphosis. After six hours of deliberation on Wednesday evening, the jury of experts and cultural and economic players selected the project led by 65-year-old architect Philippe Prost, winner of the Grand Prix national de l'architecture 2022. The official announcement was made on Thursday by Mayor Anne Hidalgo, following validation by the tender committee.

What are the main thrusts of the redevelopment project?

The selected project has several major objectives:

• Increased vegetation: Creation of large lawns and reintroduction of historic planted ditches, to combat urban heat islands and improve user comfort.
  
  
• Reduced vehicular traffic: Reduce the space for motorized vehicles to encourage soft mobility and make it easier for pedestrians to cross the square.
  
  
• Heritage enhancement: Preservation and enhancement of existing architectural and decorative elements, respecting the square's symmetry and historical perspectives.
  
  
• Stronger links with surrounding areas: Removal of existing hoppers to reconnect the square with the Champs-Élysées gardens, the Tuileries gardens and the banks of the Seine.

The project, costing between 36 and 38 million euros and financed by the City of Paris, aims to make Concordea calmer, greener and more pedestrian-friendly space. It is built around three major ambitions: heritage restoration, climate response and diversity of use.

Inspired by 18th-century developments, the plan includes :

• The return of large lawns in the center.
  
  
• The return of the 22-meter-wide flowered ditches, surrounded by balustrades. These elements will play an essential ecological role, collecting rainwater and feeding the plantings.
  
  
• 131 trees will be planted, none of which will be felled.
  
  
• A totalof 2.8 hectares of green space will be created, providing 8°C of cooling at ground level.

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Where do pedestrians and cyclists fit in?

The plan is to return two-thirds of the square to pedestrians, by eliminating the road hoppers to the south and west. Motorized traffic will be limited to the west, while the east of the square will be dedicated to soft mobility. This new layout will enable pedestrians and cyclists to link the Tuileries to the Champs-Élysées in complete safety. A 10-meter-wide balcony will also be laid out on the banks of the Seine.

A balance between heritage and modernity

Philippe Prost's project is faithful to the historic work of architects Gabriel and Hittorff, while incorporating a contemporary geometry designed for fluidity of use. "A work of chiseling, of geometry", he emphasized, hailing the "excellence" demanded by such a site.

Approved by the Commission nationale du patrimoine et de l'architecture, construction work will begin shortly, with preliminary archaeological excavations. The first buildings are expected to be completed in 2026.

Desired as a legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympics, this redevelopment is in line with the municipality's desire to reinvent Parisian public spaces, reconciling history, ecology and quality of life.