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We’ll Always Have Paris — II
The best thing about having a column in the same publication for years is the occasional opportunity to quote yourself — or, as in this case, to revisit and continue a column written nearly five years ago.
In 2020, the mayor of Paris, the Spanish-born Anne Hidalgo, who had just secured a second term with a commanding majority, unveiled an ambitious plan to “clean up” her city’s pollution. Her vision included everything from banning diesel vehicles and pedestrianizing large swathes of the city to building an expansive cycling network, eliminating over 50,000 parking spaces, and transforming grand boulevards — such as the iconic Champs-Élysées — into vast green spaces.
Naturally, such sweeping changes sparked unease among many residents: inconveniences, reduced mobility, and the potential for even worse traffic jams. Yet, awareness of the dangers of air pollution had grown considerably. So, when the measures began to take effect, Parisians didn’t flood the streets in protest, which as history has shown they’re perfectly capable of doing. We’re not, after all, talking about a passive populace.
