The Mayor of Paris wants to ensure a "right to beauty" within the city.

PARIS. – The newly elected mayor of Paris, the socialist Emmanuel Grégoire, announced a series of measures on Monday, including improved street cleaning, to ensure a "right to beauty" in the capital, the world's leading tourist destination. Beyond the iconic images of the Eiffel Tower or Montmartre, Paris is frequently criticized on social media for its litter, the presence of rats, and the poor condition of urban furniture. Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD - AFP. The hashtag #SaccageParis (meaning "Paris is being destroyed") has been used in recent years to criticize Grégoire's predecessor, the socialist Anne Hidalgo, who has been accused of neglecting the city and focusing solely on adapting Paris to climate change. "I am aware of the discontent felt by many Parisians regarding the quality of public spaces, and sometimes I share it," his successor confessed to the newspaper Le Figaro, stating that he aims to guarantee a "right to beauty" in all neighborhoods. The mayor promised to "continue the transformations undertaken" by the previous city council member, but "improving the overall quality of life" and with a "demand for cleanliness and well-being." At the same time, Grégoire stated that he intends to significantly strengthen "the role of district mayors in local planning policies" and promised to be a "hyper-local" mayor. His plan includes a focus on street cleaning, the preservation of facades, and the protection of Paris's heritage, including historical furniture, among other things. Grégoire kisses the key to the Paris City Hall during a ceremony following the second round of the 2026 French municipal elections, in Paris, on March 22, 2026. GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT - AFP. The new mayor, who took office in March, also plans to address "1000 problem areas" where public spaces are deteriorating, such as areas of "high tourist traffic" like the Champ de Mars or the areas around train stations. Nearly 50 million people visited Paris or its region in 2025, according to figures from the regional tourism promotion agency Visit Paris Region. The socialist city council member pledged to pay "increased attention to sidewalks, construction sites, terraces, and everyday incivilities." At the same time, the mayor of Paris said he will seek to "protect the heritage" of the French capital as part of his administration, paying particular attention to "facades, pavements, historical furniture, bridges – particularly the Pont des Arts – as well as the 'ordinary heritage' that constitutes 'the identity of Paris.'" A "general delegate for design and aesthetics" will be responsible for implementing the plan, the mayor specified. Grégoire also dismissed questions about the absence of a specific deputy for heritage in his government team, emphasizing the appointment of Dominique Kielemoës as "managing director for heritage," reporting to the deputy for urban planning, François Vauglin. Furthermore, the newly elected mayor also pledged to create 80 "pedestrian zones" in Paris and to ensure, where possible, "at least one shaded sidewalk on every street." The pedestrianization of the banks of the Seine River will be "accelerated to create a continuous 25-kilometer promenade." Mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Grégoire. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD - AFP. Asserting that his "mantra is not to be against the car," Grégoire said he will seek to increase "specialized parking spaces," particularly "for those who use a car as a tool for work and need it daily." In addition to the deployment of 15 rapid transit lines, he announced that he intends to create a "protected bus lane" on the Rue de Rivoli. In the field of education – an "absolute priority" of his term, according to the mayor – Grégoire is expected to visit the Saint-Dominique school in the 7th district of the capital, where recent revelations of sexual abuse against minors have come to light. "I am going, above all, to listen to them," the mayor said. Agency AFP. France. Paris. Continue reading.