After six years of a first mandate as mayor, the time has come for Anne Hidalgo. Credited with 25% of the voting intentions in the polls, has the mayor of Paris convinced its citizens? Responses collected at random from meetings.

Nadir, tireless cyclist

Nadir, 37, only travels to Paris by bicycle. © Aude Mazoué

Nadir, 37, is busy finding a working bike at the Vélib 'station at the Gare de Lyon. The chain of one derailed, the handlebars of the other is blocked. Only one solution: wait for one cyclist to drop another. Because the IT specialist only travels to Paris by bicycle.

In all weathers, he rides a two-wheeled vehicle every morning from his district of Invalides, in the 7th arrondissement, to get to work. Not always easy to work your way through the many works of the capital, recognizes the thirty-something. But one thing is certain: since he arrived five years ago from Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, a southern suburb, to settle in Paris, he has seen the network of cycle paths develop. Over the years, he also appreciated many changes in town planning, such as the development of waterways on the banks.

Still no progress to note, however, as regards the cleanliness of the city, regrets the Parisian. "There are always papers, dog excrement on the sidewalks. I have had the opportunity to live in London, and there is a big difference there." Not enough to change the city either. Nadir loves Paris. He even plans to settle there permanently. He would like to leave his studio to buy a larger apartment. But the prohibitive prices charged in the capital discourage him. No matter how well he prospects, he can't find it.

Does he intend to vote for Anne Hidalgo in the next municipal elections? "No, even if its results are generally satisfactory." Whoever voted white in 2014 intends this year to give Rachida Dati a chance, closer to his ideas. A cyclist has just dropped off a Vélib 'in the station. Nadir gets back into the saddle and sets off again to attack the main arteries of the city.

Solveig, unconditional of Anne Hidalgo

Solveig, mother of three, is satisfied with Anne Hidalgo's assessment. © Aude Mazoué


Not far from there, in front of the gateway to the Jean-Bouton school (12th arrondissement), Solveig, 40, awaits the release of his son, Arsène. Anne Hidalgo's balance sheet? "He is great," enthuses the mother, who may admit that she is lacking in objectivity. "I have always been a socialist and I love Anne Hidalgo very much. Because she remained loyal to the PS when so many others chose to turn over their jackets. But I also love her for her management of the city." Mobility, city debt, cultural offer, the young forty-something can not find anything wrong with her six years in office.

A shadow on the board all the same ... Only the mother of three children aged thirteen, nine and five children recognizes difficulties with housing. "I am a tenant and I applied for social housing several years ago. But my file has still not been finalized. All of the proposals that have been made to me do not meet my criteria."

Since then, she and her children have been waiting for a more affordable apartment. "However, I work, she defends herself, but the prices are far too high." Nor is she ready to make concessions to her neighborhood. "For many reasons, I want to stay in Bastille." And the development work that is currently being carried out there promises "to make the place even more pleasant than before with more green space and pedestrian routes", rejoices the Parisian.

There are quite a few efforts to make on the side of cleanliness. "But I'm coming back from Marseille and I think there is much worse elsewhere. No, really, I'm too good in Paris, I don't want to leave her for anything in the world!"

In the middle of scooters and Airbnb, there is Viviane

Anne Hidalgo's assessment is rather "but can do better in a lot of areas," said Viviane, 78, a retired teacher. © Aude Mazoué


Viviane, 78, is enjoying a peaceful retreat on the heights of Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement of the capital. After having abandoned the city for several years for Fontenay-sous-Bois, the time to raise her two daughters, she and her husband returned to their first Parisian love affairs. Unlike her husband, she considers the outcome of the outgoing mayor rather positive. "However, efforts still need to be continued, comments the former teacher. If there is anything better regarding the number of cycle paths, they are not always practical. Especially those thought in the opposite direction to traffic."

She also has a lot to say about scooters. "Cohabitation with pedestrians is sometimes difficult because the holders of these new arrivals on the Paris macadam very often take the sidewalks. And then they are too often abandoned anywhere."

But the biggest black spot is elsewhere: housing prices. "We are currently tenants and are looking for an apartment of 80 square meters in the 18th arrondissement. And it takes between 14,000 and 15,000 euros per square meter to have beautiful accommodation in the very touristy Montmartrois district. And even with a budget of 1.2 million, we don't find. " The fault with tourism, incriminates the septuagenarian. And more specifically that of Airbnb. The municipality has not been sufficiently offensive against them, deplores the lady. "In front of my house, an entire building was purchased to establish Airbnb tourist rentals. This drastically raises market prices for Parisians seeking accommodation."

Viviane consoles herself in her daily walks and in the many cultural activities that the city offers. "Culture is everywhere in Paris. Museums are very expensive, regrets the dashing retired. When you go to Washington to see my daughter, almost all museums are free."

Alix's call of nature

Alix, 28, has experienced many "galleys" to find student accommodation in Paris. © Aude Mazoué

Eyes riveted on his computer, in the middle of his colored cards and markers, Alix, a third year student in occupational therapy, revises. From the break room of the Sorbonne University of Medicine, rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, where one is writing end-of-studies dissertations, Anne Hidalgo's results are far from popular. However, come to think of it, we have an opinion on the matter.

Starting with transport. Getting around Paris is easy. Culture is also accessible. At more than 26 years old - the age at which student reductions stop - the young woman knows the good plans for inexpensive visits. In particular in the permanent collections of the 14 museums of the City of Paris open to all for free.

There remain the "galleys" of housing. For those who do not benefit from the social housing offered by Crous. "The first year was complicated for everyone. I had to move twice, leave an unsanitary accommodation in the 14th arrondissement, then a roommate in the 10th, before finding a small two-room apartment in the neighborhood." A chance. Because the girlfriends installed at the neighboring tables had to resolve to live in the suburbs.

The capital also sorely lacks greenery for this native of the Southwest in search of bucolic landscapes. Too much concrete. "I don't see myself staying here more than two or three years. I need nature too much."

Erai, shoemaker between two strikes

Erai, 28, who works in a small family shoe repair shop DU 12e, is exhausted by the filth of Paris. © Aude Mazoué


In the small family shoe repair shop at 27 ter, boulevard Diderot, father and son are busy. We nail, we glue, we engrave heels, plates, keys. There is no shortage of work for Erai, 28, who runs a small business with her father. It has not always been the case. "The demonstrations of the yellow vests and now the strikes against the pension reform have done us a lot of harm," said the young shoemaker. If some traders have benefited from financial aid from the Paris city hall, "we have not seen anything go by. We have not suffered any damage but we have cut our turnover in half. However, all the months, we still have a rent of 1,300 euros and other charges to pay, "says his dad.

And then there is also the problem of the numerous works in the city. "It is abominable. Before, to go by car to my suppliers in République, I took a quarter of an hour round trip. Today, because of the works, I put more than 40 minutes", storms the young man of Turkish origin.

Another sensitive subject: cleanliness. Since this summer, the city's cleaning trucks have not passed, the young man noted. "I called the town hall, I was assured that the services were still running, but I can see that this is no longer the case." Result: every morning, Erai begins her day by cleaning her storefront soiled with the urines of the tramps. "When it's cold, it's still okay, but in summer, it stinks, it's unbearable." Because there is a lot of begging in the neighborhood, notes the trader by designating two homeless people sitting on the sidewalk opposite. "However, the town hall is doing what is necessary in this area, but it cannot go against their will either."

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