The Sorbonne sold for €1, rent for the museums… The city of Paris’s shock measures to save its budget

The offer seems attractive, but the only potential buyer seems reluctant to pay the symbolic euro. The unfortunate owner of the Sorbonne is currently the city of Paris, which wishes to cede the university to the State. “ This represents millions of euros of work each year, I don't see why this should be paid for by Parisian taxpayers. », Explains Paul Simondon, deputy PS in charge of finances and budget.

Also, the Bois de Vincennes zoological park and the Picasso museum, owned by the city and operated by the State, could be subject to rent. “ It's under discussion », admits Paul Simondon. The slogan: no more gifts to the State, while the government wants to impose 5 billion euros in savings on communities.

“Let’s put the lessons of the government into perspective”

For its 2025 budget, the Barnier government wants to cut the resources of local authorities. “ We picks pockets, annoys the elected official from Paris. This is a politically unacceptable and democratically serious decision for our autonomy.” For the Parisian local authority alone, this would represent a loss of 300 to 350 million euros, or 320 euros per Parisian family.

The first to suffer would then be the citizens and their access to everyday public services (education, transport, canteen, etc.). “ We will fight to rectify this in the Senate, whether the effort requested is realistic », Hopes the socialist senator, Rémi Féraud.

For the moment, the main budgetary guidelines of the city of Paris do not take into account the cut of 5 billion euros. Revenues will increase very slightly by one percent while expenses will remain relatively stable. Enough to fulfill the obligation to provide balanced accounts, made to each local authority, and detailed in the budgetary orientation report of the Paris Council, which has just been released this Tuesday.

Investment is maintained at a high level: 1.7 billion euros, around 60% self-financed, for social housing, accessibility and adaptation to climate change. “ While Gabriel Attal and Clément Beaune wanted to put the city of Paris under supervision because of its so-called financial mismanagement, it would rather be up to them to draw inspiration from these accountsquips Ian Brossat, communist senator from Paris. Let’s put their lessons into perspective. »

Paul Simondon recalls that the city of Paris received the best possible rating from the Moody's rating agency in 2024. And its financial solidity could be further strengthened via new revenue proposals. Senator Rémi Féraud suggests, among other things, not eliminating the Business Value Added Contribution (CVAE) and taxing second homes.

Solving the housing crisis remains one of the city's priorities. “ A real housing tax would make it possible toe resolve a paradox: there are 20% of vacant homes in Paris and there are fewer and fewer Parisians. Also, additional revenue could be collected”underlines Ian Brossat.