Remodelling the largest exhibition park in France

We have been reappointed by the City of Paris to provide technical, financial and environmental advisory services for the renovation and modernisation of Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles, the largest exhibition park in Paris.

Project Overview

Since its inception in 1923, the Parc des Expositions Porte de Versailles has continually evolved through multiple refurbishment and expansions. Now, as it commemorates its centenary, it aims to fulfil its ambition to enhance the customer experience, adapt to current energy performance challenges and upgrade to international standards.

This comprehensive project involves the modernisation of pavilions and their facades, the creation of a new square, cafes, a conference centre and four hotels. The park surrounding the venue is being redesigned to include extensive gardens and green spaces. These enhancements are particularly beneficial to the city, when hosting major international events, like the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Our role

We initially started working with the City of Paris on this project in 2015, providing technical, financial and environmental advice through to 2023. We were selected for our expertise in environmental sustainability and governance (ESG), technical expertise, and knowledge of local regulations. Our alignment with the strict sustainability standards of City of Paris was crucial for our reappointment.

In this context, the renewal of our contract until 2029 demonstrates our long-term commitment and strong relationship with our client, the City of Paris, and our commitment and expertise in to embedding sustainable development.

We are responsible for:

• Conducting site visits and interviews with VIPARIS officials and technicians or service providers to gather and analyse information/data on behalf of the City of Paris.
• Assessing compliance with contractual commitments and the technical relevance of VIPARIS's study methods and actions.
• Approving the actions implemented and the costs allocated to these actions.
• Making recommendations to the City of Paris to ensure adherence to contractual commitments.
• Implementing monitoring and reporting tools to facilitate the tracking of study and work progress, as well as the control of technical and financial conformity.

Delivering an energy efficiency approach

The renovation aims to reduce energy consumption, a common issue for large-scale exhibition centres. It will respond to Paris' ambitious target to cut energy use by 40% by 2030, supporting France’s broader goal of a 50% reduction by 2050.

Our strategy will cover three main environmental approaches:

• Renewable Energy Integration: Integrating green roofs and photovoltaic panels will reduce energy dependence and enhance the city’s green infrastructure.
• Biodiversity and Space Utilisation: The project will include 20,000 sq. m of permeable soils and 52,000 sq. m of green roofs, minimising the ecological footprint while enhancing local biodiversity.
• Sustainable Building Certifications: Achieving certifications such as HQE (High Environmental Quality) for Pavilion 6 and the hotel, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) for Pavilion 7, and the Effinergie+ label for the hotel complex will emphasise compliance with stringent environmental standards.

A standout feature is the development of Europe's largest urban farm on the roof of Pavilion 6, set to produce 200 kg of seasonal fruits and vegetables annually.

Added value

Our impact will extend beyond project management, enhancing both the local community and delivering a positive environmental impact.

Modernised facilities will better integrate the exhibition centre into the urban landscape, improving visitor experiences and supporting Paris as an international events hub. This project addresses environmental, and community needs and sets a sustainable standard for future developments.

Image courtesy of Valode & Pistre Architects