Paris, one of the best cities to live in in Europe? This is according to the new ranking published this week by the Canadian firm Resonance Consultancy. Just behind London and before Berlin, the French capital is, according to this study, the
“second most pleasant city in Europe”
. The report, rave, evokes an
“intoxicating”
city which, on the occasion of the 2024 Olympic Games,
will “amaze”
the whole world with its
“urban reinvention turned towards the future like the world has never seen”
.
The Canadian firm, which defines itself as a
“leading advisor”
in the fields of tourism, real estate and economic development, firstly welcomes the policy pursued by the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo to give priority to bicycles , with the development of cycle paths and the strictest speed limits for vehicles. A plan which, according to the Canadian cabinet, generates
“citizen support”
.
A metro that “is the envy of the whole world”
While the limitation to 30 km/h and the massive fines for four-wheelers have caused discontent among motorists in the capital in recent years, the firm, which explains on its site that it wants to make this ranking
“the most efficient urban performance reference”. credible in the world",
for its part praises the
"incredible number of 70% of Parisians who do not own a car",
and welcomes
the "total commitment"
in favor of cycling, placing the city
"among the most favorable to cycling in the planet".
“Pedestrians receive the same love
,” notes the Canadian cabinet, indicating that 65% of residents’ trips are made on foot,
“a figure which increased by 12% between 2010 and 2020.
” As for the Paris metro, it
“already is the envy of the whole world with its 800-kilometer network and 16 lines perfectly integrated into a suburban rail system
,” the report further underlines.
“Inclusive and caring city”
On its social networks, the City was delighted with Paris' place on the podium in the Canadian ranking. For
“urban innovations, the different developments to face new climate challenges, the place given to pedestrians and soft mobility, the diversity of the cultural offer or even its international image”
, Paris
“is largely doing well. of the game”
, welcomes the town hall.
The City has
"considerably reduced the space for cars"
, made
"the city more peaceful (...) for the benefit of pedestrians"
and improved
"the transport offer"
in particular by making
"its bus lines accessible to people with mobility reduced,”
underlines the Paris town hall.
“Because a city where life is good is also an inclusive and caring city
,” concludes the municipality.
This finding contrasts somewhat with surveys carried out among residents of the capital. In 2023, an exclusive Ifop-Fiducial survey for
Le Figaro
showed that three years before the municipal elections, only 26% of Parisians said they were
“very satisfied”
with life in the capital under the governance of Anne Hidalgo, compared to 41% during of his predecessor Bertrand Delanoë's mid-term poll.