At the Monnaie de Paris, the last artisans of this historic factory threatened with disappearance

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“There are still overalls in the heart of Paris,” recalls David Faillenet, union delegate of the Ugict-CGT in the Paris Mint. But until when? The employees of this factory based on Quai de Conti, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, are up in arms. The very probable installation of the House of African Worlds (MansA) at the Hôtel de la Monnaie arouses the concern of the inter-union. According to her, the arrival of these new roommates in the east wing of the building will come at the expense of the exhibition halls and adjoining offices.

“We cannot put the MansA and keep the Monnaie de Paris,” warns David Faillenet who fears the elimination of the cultural program allowing the establishment under the supervision of Bercy to be fully self-financing. “Everything made here is on display. If we lose this vocation, it will become very complicated to stay balanced,” warns the union representative of this historic factory where the French national currency has been manufactured since the 18th century.

The latest industrial jobs in Paris

Supported by the Ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs, this MansA project launched by Emmanuel Macron in 2021 is struggling to find a place in the Parisian landscape. After several months of procrastination, Rachida Dati seems to have set her sights on the mint. “The decision is not 200% confirmed but it is taking this path,” admitted the Ministry of the Economy to the Monde.

During the Paris Council, which has been held since Tuesday November 19, 2024, the elected communist Raphaëlle Primet asked the City to question the ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs on this subject. This installation in the heart of the Hôtel de la Monnaie “could threaten the last 300 industrial jobs in Paris”. Also president of the culture, heritage and memory commission of this assembly, she proposes that this project, renamed MansA in 2023, be relocated to another Parisian building.

From Paris to Pessac?

Several spaces had been designated to accommodate the future structure. La Gaîté lyrique, Espace Cardin and even the Fondation Cartier had been mentioned by the ministries without this coming to fruition. Raphaëlle Primet suggests investing in 5 rue Roland-Barthes (12e) where the French Development Agency and its subsidiaries are based before their move in 2026. “And that in the absence of a Parisian alternative, the State develops this project within another city”, decides the Communist and Citizen group .

The creation of MansA had been inspired by the Cameroonian academic Achille Mbembe in a report presenting thirteen recommendations to improve relations between France and Africa. This cultural center was announced by the President of the Republic as “a place dedicated to African thoughts and creativity”. Its arrival at Quai de Conti, opposite the Louvre and Samaritaine, could send the last workers from Paris to Pessac (Gironde), where a factory has been installed since 1973.

Wave of departures

Six years of work and 80 million euros were spent to renovate the site and launch the MétaLmorphoses project, which made the institution profitable with the production of Olympic medals. With revenues increasing from 62,000 euros in 2022 to nearly 396,000 euros planned for this year, the Monnaie de Paris can be proud of being in balance. “We are not sure of being positive for 2025”, is now concerned by David Faillenet who also regrets “a catastrophic atmosphere” Conti quay. A wave of departures of managers has been sweeping since September. Production manager, industrial director… “There is no redundancy, but they no longer have access to the site,” reports the union representative.

Faced with these challenges, La Monnaie employees intend to step up to the plate “to move the lines”. The intervention of Raphaëlle Primet at the Council of Paris before that of the communist Senator Ian Brossat at the Luxembourg Palace still leaves hope of seeing the currency minted in the heart of Paris.

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