Displacement in pre-olympic Paris
As Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games from 26 July to 11 August 2024, the city undergoes significant changes impacting its urban landscape and residents. Historically, such events have led to the displacement of marginalized communities, with over two million people affected globally over the past 50 years due to Olympic gentrification.
In Paris, NGOs have noted increased forced evictions and police operations against migrant and homeless populations, particularly in areas like the banks of the Seine. Additionally, the construction of new Olympic infrastructure in impoverished neighborhoods, such as Saint Denis and Porte de La Chapelle, suggests further gentrification and indirect displacement.
This photo project captures the various facets of displacement in Paris from January to July 2024.
Sign at a construction site in front of the newly built sports arena (‘Adidas Arena’) in Porte de La Chapelle. Paris, France, February 23, 2024.
More than a hundred migrants are evicted from a migrant encampment under the Villot tunnel, located on the right bank of the Seine, in the 12th arrondissement. Paris, March 20, 2024.
Rocks at Quai d’ Austerlitz, located on the left bank of the Seine, in the 13th arrondissement. These barriers are being erected to prevent the creation of new homeless encampments on the riverbanks. Paris, April 3, 2024.
Migrant encampment in the Villot tunnel. Paris, January 11, 2024.
On the day the encampment in the Villot Tunnel was dismantled, municipal workers immediately cleared all remaining items from the site, including numerous tents, mattresses, clothing and bags. Paris, March 20, 2024.
The Villot tunnel two weeks after the encampment was dismantled. Paris, April 3, 2024.
Police operation on the banks of the Seine. Paris, April 3, 2024.
A remnant of a squat on the Ile-Saint-Denis. In the abandoned building of the cement manufacturer Unibéton, located in close proximity to the Olympic Village, hundreds of migrants lived from the year 2020 until they were evicted in April 2023. Paris, February 17, 2024.
A homeless person is seeking a new place to sleep after being asked to leave the banks of the Seine. Paris, April 3, 2024.
Three towers of 'Cité Marcel Paul' on Ile-Saint-Denis. The residential complex is situated between a training hall for athletes and the newly constructed Olympic villages. The houses are scheduled for demolition in 2025, and the remaining residents are facing pressure to leave their homes and relocate before the start of the Olympic Games. Paris, April 14, 2024.
Municipal workers are clearing away the remains of a homeless encampment under the Bridge ‘Pont de Sully’, which was dismantled the day before. Paris, March 7, 2024.
A mirroir on a forecourt of the ‘Cité Marcel Paul’. All around the residential complex there are leftover items belonging to former residents who have already moved out. Paris, March 4, 2024.
From April 6 to July 3, 2024, more than 200 young migrants had been occupying the cultural institution ‘Maison des Métallos’ in the 11th arrondissement to demand, among other things, dignified accommodation. Many of the young occupiers had previously been evicted from their encampments. Above in capital letters: 'The situation is serious, no accommodation, no Olympics (‘JO’), we are staying in Paris'. Paris, April 9, 2024.
Two police officers have a look at a map at the beginning of a police operation on the banks of the Seine. Paris, April 3, 2024.
Residents of 'Cité Marcel Paul' on Ile-Saint-Denis are relocating amidst ongoing urban renewal projects. The residential complex comprising three towers is situated between a training hall for athletes and the newly constructed Olympic villages. The houses are scheduled for demolition in 2025, and the remaining residents are facing pressure to leave their homes and relocate before the start of the Olympic Games. Paris, March 4, 2024.
A homeless person sits on the steps of the "Eglise Saint-Gervais" after being evicted from a nearby encampment. Paris, May 28, 2024.
A suitcase on a forecourt of the ‘Cité Marcel Paul’. All around the residential complex there are leftover items belonging to former residents who have already moved out. Paris, February 29, 2024.
A building site in Porte de la Chapelle near the new sports arena. Paris, March 3, 2024.
Police clear a tent camp in the Villot tunnel on the right bank of the Seine in the 12th arrondissement. More than a hundred migrants are evicted from their sleeping places that day. Paris, France, March 20, 2024.
Protesters in front of the ‘Maison des Métallos’. Paris, April 9, 2024.
A migrant is looking for a new place to sleep after being evicted from the encampment on the banks of the Seine. Paris, April 3, 2024.
Two police officers are instructing a man to dismantle his tent under the bridge ‘Pont Marie’, on the right bank of the Seine, in the 4th arrondissement. Paris, April 3, 2024.
Municipal workers are clearing away the remains of a homeless encampment under the bridge ‘Pont Marie’ which was dismantled the day before. Paris, March 7, 2024.
Joggers are running under the bridge ‘Pont Marie’ a day after a homeless encampment was cleared from the area. Paris, March 7, 2024.
View of the newly built Olympic village in Saint-Ouen. Paris, April 6, 2024.
Obstacles in the form of rocks and fences were installed under the bridge Charles-de-Gaulle, where there had previously been a homeless encampment. Paris, April 3, 2024.
