Paris city hall, led by Anne Hidalgo, approved the transformation of Hôtel de Fourcy into 17 social housing units during a tense vote at the Paris Council. This decision fits into an ambitious policy of acquiring private buildings to expand social housing stock. The right-wing opposition denounces it as 'creeping nationalization'.
On Tuesday afternoon, in the grand hall of Paris's Hôtel de Ville, city councilors voted on the renovation and transformation of Hôtel de Fourcy, an iconic building located in Place des Vosges. Classified as a historical monument and once home to Théophile Gautier and then Alphonse Daudet, the edifice will now house 17 social housing units, a decision unanimously approved by the left-wing Parisian elected officials.
The atmosphere was tense during the vote, with heated exchanges between the majority and opposition. The right-wing Parisians firmly opposed the project, hoping to see the site become a cultural space. 'It’s creeping nationalization,' some criticized, highlighting the approach of the municipal majority led by Anne Hidalgo.
This operation exemplifies the policy pursued by the city hall to expand social housing stock. By multiplying pre-emptions and purchases of private residential buildings, Paris rose to the top of real estate buyers in 2023-2024. These initiatives account for nearly 2000 housing units in 2025 alone. Announced just months before the March 2026 municipal elections, this measure allows the majority to demonstrate its commitment to housing while scoring a political point.