The Wall for Peace is still looking for a new base. In a decision of July 6, the administrative court of Paris canceled for “procedural defect” the building permit governing the erection of the monument on the avenue de Breteuil (XVth). The structure, signed by artist Clara Halter, was raised on the Champ-de-Mars in March 2000. It was dismantled in 2020 to make way for the short-lived Grand Palais.
In search of a new location, the work, on which the word “peace” appears in 49 languages, was to be taken up to avenue de Breteuil. But that was without taking into account the opposition of some of the residents. An appeal against its installation was filed two years ago. Despite an additional period granted in September by the administrative court to the Paris City Hall, the latter could not have obtained a favorable opinion from the Architectes des Bâtiments de France (ABF). “The ABF was normally consulted within the framework of the instruction of the building permit and has given a simple favorable opinion”, reports for his part Laurent Roturier, director general of cultural affairs for Île-de-France, in the columns of the Parisian.
The decision arouses the bitterness of Marek Halter, husband of the now deceased artist. “The mistake I made was agreeing to move the wall. I was promised that it would be rebuilt in a prestigious place and the avenue de Breteuil corresponded, ”explains the writer to Parisian. The Wall for Peace was entirely redesigned by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, in order to be built on the avenue de Breteuil. “It is important that such a monument can generate maximum support,” says the architect. If this does not suit avenue de Breteuil, I am open to discussion for other places. On the other hand, it is essential that the wall exists given its meaning”. A petition had been launched by residents of the district opposed to the installation of the Wall of Peace on the avenue and had collected nearly 10,500 signatures.
The Paris Administrative Court also announces that it will compensate all the applicants up to 1,500 euros, i.e. three associations and 126 residents of Avenue de Breteuil, represented by lawyer Théodore Catry. “I am satisfied with this decision which rewards the efforts we have made. I am all the more delighted that this is a rare case of total cancellation in a context where court decisions generally tend to protect project leaders much more than heritage defenders. he specifies.
If the Paris City Hall decides to appeal, the Urgences Patrimoine association announces that it will continue the mobilization. According to its president, Alexandra Sobczak-Romanskiski, “the most urgent thing would be to rack our brains to find another place at the Wall for Peace”. For its part, the City of Paris “analyzes the follow-up that should be given to the decision made and will invite the project leader to discuss with him the follow-up to be given to the decision”.
