After the 2024 Olympics, half of the Place de la Concorde will no longer be accessible to motorists. The space will be redeveloped as a promenade, just like the Trocadero and the Champ-de-Mars.
The
post-Olympic urban transformation in Paris promises to be radical, according to recent statements by Mayor Anne Hidalgo. After the 2024 Olympics,
half of Place de la Concorde "will not be given back to motorists", marking a major step in the mayor's strategy to
reduce the presence of cars in the capital. The city's largest square will be
dedicated to strolling, offering Parisians and visitors a pedestrian area from the Tuileries to the obelisk.
In La Tribune Dimanche, Anne Hidalgo stresses that this decision will contribute to a smoother flow of traffic, asserting that
"the place given over to cars in this emblematic place will have been no more than a parenthesis in history". With this transformation,
"the Place de la Concorde, the Trocadéro and Iéna (...) the Champ-de-Mars constitute 50 hectares of pedestrian and planted spaces for strolling", accompanied by "60 km of additional cycle paths". These changes are in line with the mayor's desire to promote sustainable modes of transport and create
green spaces accessible to all.
Despite the temporary constraints for Parisians linked to the installation of the Olympic venues, Anne Hidalgo promises an "unforgettable celebration" and asserts that the city is ready in many respects, while acknowledging that challenges remain, notably in the area of public transport.
