2026 Municipal Election: Martine Figuéroa, head of the "Paris Apaisé with Pierre-Yves Bournazel" list for Paris Centre

Martine Figuéroa and Pierre-Yves Bournazel (Horizons, Renaissance, Nouveau Centre – Les Centristes)

We met Martine Figuéroa, head of the "Paris Centre Apaisé avec Martine Figuéroa" list (Horizons, Renaissance, Nouveau Centre – Les Centristes, supported by Pierre-Yves Bournazel), at the Le Croco brasserie. She was accompanied by Benjamin Djiane, who holds the second position on her list for Paris Centre.

Martine Figuéroa is a prominent figure in the 1st arrondissement, having served as an elected official for 12 years, notably as Deputy Mayor (2014-2020) for Early Childhood, Families, Youth, and Sports under Jean-François Legaret. She is currently an opposition councilor for Paris Centre. The daughter of factory workers, a Parisian for four generations, she attended school in Les Halles and then in the Marais (Arbre-Sec nursery, Saint-Germain-L'Auxerrois elementary school, Victor Hugo high school in Barbette and on rue de Sévigné). A mother, she embodies the quintessential Parisian from the historic center.

Passionate about intergenerational connection, she is promoting a pro-family program: a shock of rental offers to promote housing and allow people to plan for living in central Paris (unpaid rent insurance to restore confidence to landlords, Airbnb limited to 30 days per year), creation of a recreational family third place "Le Cocon" in the town hall of the 2nd arrondissement which is both a place for parent-child activities and support; Thursdays for seniors; a popular dance every year to recreate social ties and unite the central arrondissements.

Pragmatic, she wants to restore the balance between commerce and local services, overall traffic flow, listen more closely to residents, and put an end to a form of municipal arrogance. She rejects all dogmatism: "Only fools never change their minds."

Paris City Center Municipal Visuals 2026 BD-4

1. Population decline in central Paris

Le Marais Mood Are you alarmed by the population decline in central Paris, with thousands of residents lost each year, particularly middle and lower-class families, between 2012 and 2026? What measures will you use to retain them or bring them back (schools, services, housing, neighborhood life)?

Martine Figueroa Yes, the population decline in central Paris is worrying, as it affects not only social diversity but also the city's economic and cultural vitality. We must act on several fronts to reverse this trend. First and foremost, housing is a crucial issue. Pierre-Yves Bournazel and I are proposing a program to bring 60,000 housing units back onto the rental market across Paris. We will also review the allocation and turnover rules for social housing, particularly to benefit families.

In parallel, we will focus on quality of life and the living environment: cleanliness, safety, and easier access to public services, particularly through greater transparency in the allocation of childcare places, and better communication with parents and their needs through a Local Parents' Council, from preschool to middle school. Neighborhood life is also essential; we want to encourage local initiatives and foster more interaction among residents. By implementing these measures, we hope to retain families in central Paris and attract new ones.

2. Real estate prices and rents

Le Marais Mood : High property and rent prices are driving the middle class out of central Paris. What options does the mayor of central Paris have? What specific measures will you implement to address this demographic shift (pre-emption rights, regulations, family housing, dialogue with the City)?

Martine Figueroa: Real estate prices in Paris are indeed a major problem. With Pierre-Yves Bournazel, our approach is more about creating a supply shock than over-regulation. We don't want to continue the majority's preemption policy, but only reserve it for substandard housing. A key measure is to establish a municipal guarantee for landlords, to restore their confidence and thus facilitate the return of 20,000 vacant units to the market. Returning to the original spirit of Airbnb would also allow us to bring 10,000 apartments back onto the rental market for Parisians. We also want to create new student districts with 7,000 additional housing units by 2030. Paris currently hosts more than 340,000 students but offers less than 15% dedicated student housing. And the private market remains out of reach for the majority of young people.

Our credo is to restore common sense, dialogue, and trust, and to act on several fronts to put an end to speculation in the private rental market and abuses in social housing. The ultimate goal is to bring properties back onto the private rental market and to create greater fairness in the social housing sector (clarity in allocation, turnover, investment in energy efficiency and sanitation, etc.).

3. Impact of Airbnb

Le Marais Mood : Is Airbnb a "toxic business" in a touristy area like the Marais? What measures have you considered (controls, quotas, sanctions)?

Martine Figueroa: Yes, the Airbnb phenomenon has a significant impact on the rental market in Paris, particularly in tourist areas like the Marais. In central Paris, one in seven properties is affected. Many owners prefer to rent their properties on platforms like Airbnb rather than listing them on the traditional rental market, which reduces the housing supply for permanent residents and contributes to a feeling of "Disneyfication" with all the suitcases in the streets and key boxes in buildings.

Our solution is simple: stricter regulation of tourist rentals with rigorous enforcement of existing rules, automatic detection of violations on rental websites, and a cap of 30 days per year. These measures aim to protect residents' housing and ensure a balance between tourism and local life, without pitting them against each other.

4. Pop-up stores

Le Marais Mood : What about pop-up stores? Are they the "Airbnb of commerce," weakening local shops? How can they be regulated to preserve sustainable businesses?

Martine Figuéroa: Pop-up stores can indeed be perceived as a threat to local businesses, as they create a form of unfair competition. While they can offer a certain dynamism and commercial diversity, their business model can jeopardize the long-term viability of small neighborhood shops. We believe it is essential to find a balance. We support regulations governing the establishment of pop-up stores. In this way, we aim to preserve the commercial identity of neighborhoods without stifling their vitality.

5. School canteens

Le Marais Mood : Chef Michel Sarran took to social media to describe the poor quality of school cafeteria food, sharing a photo of his granddaughter's lunch tray. What is your assessment and what measures do you propose for school cafeterias in central Paris (organic food, local sourcing, menu control)?

Martine Figuéroa: Healthy eating at school is a priority because it contributes to children's healthy development. Schools also play a role in fostering food and taste education. We have observed that many children do not receive a balanced diet at home, which can affect their health and well-being. To improve the quality of meals in school cafeterias, we aim to introduce more organic and locally sourced foods into the menus.

This requires sourcing from producers to guarantee the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Furthermore, we want to open the school cafeterias to parents, allowing them to participate and better understand what their children are eating. This can also create positive pressure to improve the quality of the meals.

6. Allegations of mistreatment in schools

Le Marais Mood : In recent years, there have been accusations of mistreatment/sexual assault in after-school programs at schools in the neighborhood (Paul Dubois, La Perle). What reforms do you propose for selection/training/monitoring?

Martine Figuéroa: The proven cases of mistreatment in schools are unacceptable and must be dealt with with the utmost firmness. What happened is serious and intolerable when children are entrusted to care. We will strengthen the quality of recruitment in the after-school and activity sectors, improve the training of these staff members, and implement regular inspections. This is clearly the responsibility of the community.

This also involves strengthening the alert and reporting system. We will establish a clear and anonymous reporting system so that parents and children can alert the authorities if a problem arises. We must also ensure that rigorous follow-up is carried out after every report, by immediately removing the individuals involved pending the outcome of the investigation.

7. Traffic in Paris

Le Marais Mood : Some say the traffic is "hellish" (healthcare workers, including SOS Médecins, residents, and shopkeepers). Do you share this opinion? Will there be any changes to traffic flow, for ambulances, deliveries, etc.?

Martine Figueroa: Traffic in Paris has indeed been a constant source of concern. Many residents, including healthcare professionals and shopkeepers, complain about congestion in certain areas, the lack of fluidity, and the difficulties in getting around. We must adopt a comprehensive approach to traffic by reassessing existing infrastructure. We cannot simply act on sections of road without thinking holistically. I support the creation of dedicated lanes for public transport and cyclists. We need to better share these uses and stop pitting them against each other. The rise of cycling is a step forward, but not at the expense of cyclist or pedestrian safety. We also propose involving residents in this process through public consultations to identify congestion points and determine the best solutions.

The philosophy of our list is one of greater unity and community spirit, stemming from a simple observation: the 2020 administrative merger has not been sufficiently successful or tangible in everyday life. Residents don't feel like they belong to Paris Centre; borough identities persist, leading to a loss of collective connection and local services. We will reopen the borough halls as vibrant hubs, with a dedicated deputy mayor for each sector serving as the primary point of contact. We must rebuild democratic connections in Paris Centre, fostering proximity and dialogue, because elected officials must be "within earshot of a good scolding."

Text: Katia Barillot

02.03.26

2026 Municipal Election: Martine Figuéroa, head of the "Paris Apaisé avec Pierre-Yves Bournazel" list for Paris Centre

WHAAAAAAAT?!

Welcome ! You are subscribed to the Marais Mood newsletter!