"We've been here for 29 years, and... they want us to leave", summarizes with emotion Sylvie, 51 and employee of the Kiosk of the fountains since 2000. Facing the Iron Lady, on the Warsaw square, near from the Trocadéro fountain, the Kiosk of the fountains is ordered to close its doors by the end of 2022. And for good reason, the Paris town hall has ordered the eviction of these food kiosks as souvenirs in sight of the 2024 Olympic Games, as part of the renovation project for the Eiffel Tower site.
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This project puts the jobs of the dozen kiosks that line the Eiffel Tower at risk.
“We no longer have a job, my boss no longer has a job, and we find ourselves on the street,” announces Sylvie, with a view to leaving.
"I know I'm going to cry when they remove the kiosk," she warns, her eyes filled with tears.
Instead of these kiosks will be set up those of the winners of the call for tenders announced this summer by the City of Paris, a source of indignation for kiosks who fear an announced victory for large groups.
This installation will only take effect after the renovation of the Iron Lady site, i.e. at the beginning of 2024. A boon for street vendors, believe the kiosks, since no other trade will be accessible on the site from here. -the.
“We wanted to renew the concessions for the kiosks as part of the calming and greening project for the Eiffel Tower sector, in order to improve the architectural quality and the offer of products offered to visitors. .
The call for tenders is very ambitious in terms of product quality, environmental and social commitment.
Several lots, of varying sizes, have been planned, allowing different candidates to submit offers, alone or in a group, ”responds the town hall of Paris contacted by Le Parisien.