Les Arches Citoyennes is a social and cultural “third place” located in the heart of Paris, in the former headquarters of the AP-HP (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris). Since February 2023, the 30,000 square meters of the Victoria and Saint-Martin buildings have been transformed to breathe new life into the space and explore new ways of using it.

Led by the Plateau Urbain cooperative, the project is built around the values of solidarity, community, and care.

Nearly 450 organizations, artists, artisans, associations, and Social and Solidarity Economy entities from across the Île-de-France region work on-site. This represents more than 1,300 people who help bring this space to life through collaborations, exchanges, and encounters.  With a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming program taking place in the inner courtyard accessible to all, a hall hosting various events, and a cafeteria offering solidarity-based, homemade meals, Les Arches Citoyennes is a must-visit destination in the 4th arrondissement. A transitional urban planning project testing and previewing the uses of the “Hospitalités Citoyennes” initiative, led by a consortium headed by BNP Paribas Real Estate and including Apsys and RATP Solutions Ville, in response to the “Reinventing Paris 3” call for proposals.