Like an air of calm - relative - before the storm, on the Place de la Concorde (8th century).
On the largest square in the capital, which will host the 3 x 3 basketball, BMX Freestyle, breaking and skateboarding events during the Paris Olympic Games, the major works have already been launched for a week.
Five months before the launch of the events, it is the first major Parisian site to wear the colors of the Games.
And so far, so good.
“This is only the beginning,” breathes Thierry, who is observing the start of this “great upheaval” from the terrace of the Jeu de Paume, on the Tuileries side.
Cyclists also seem - for the moment - to find what they are looking for.
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“They thought about making an alternative track along the site's right-of-way,” appreciates Julie (
first name has been changed
), who crosses the square daily.
This allows you to pass in a relatively safe manner.
» Tourists continue to walk to the Tuileries garden via a passageway along the eastern part of the square.
“It’s fluid,” also observes the mayor (LR) of the 8th arrondissement, Jeanne d’Hauteserre.
For the time being, the scope of the work remains concentrated on the eastern part of the square.
It must be said that the Parisian square benefits from feedback from the Rugby World Cup, with the installation of the rugby village, already on its eastern part.
“We have a different perspective,” says Jeanne d’Hauteserre.
The City kept the same configuration as during the competition and people are now used to it.
»
On site for a week, the workers have started to put the 19th century lampposts under cover, now protected by a wooden structure.
Then it's time for the installation of the vast base which will cover the paving stones and on which the 30,000-seat stadium will ultimately stand.
Paris (8th arrondissement), this Thursday.
From the center of the largest Parisian square, pedestrians can continue to reach the Tuileries gardens via a passageway on the eastern part.
The start of a “lengthy project”, “section by section”, before the square is closed to traffic from June 1st.
The harmony between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists may not last until then...