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Freshly re-elected, how much does the mayor of Lille earn each month?

undefined undefined 30 mars 2026 undefined 17h00

The Editor

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He had already held the position since Martine Aubry's departure, but this time, it’s official: Arnaud Deslandes has just been confirmed by the people of Lille during the 2026 municipal elections. And naturally, one question immediately comes to mind: how much does the Mayor of Lille earn each month?

The topic always stirs curiosity after an election, especially in a big city like Lille. Because contrary to what one might think, a mayor doesn't receive a traditional "salary," but rather a function allowance defined by law. And with over 100,000 inhabitants, Lille falls into the highest bracket of the national scale. 

Already mayor since 2025, officially confirmed in 2026

Just a quick reminder: Arnaud Deslandes succeeded Martine Aubry in March 2025 after her resignation, being elected by the municipal council. So, he has already been in the role for a year.  But the municipal elections in March 2026 changed the game symbolically: this time, he was truly validated by the votes of the residents, with 49.33% of the votes in the second round. A significant political milestone… and the perfect time to look at how much the position actually represents in concrete terms. 

 

About €5,960 gross per month for the mayor of Lille

For a city the size of Lille, the legal limit in 2026 is around €5,960 gross monthly, which is about €4,800 to €5,000 net before tax. This is the amount corresponding to the category for municipalities with more than 100,000 residents. In the North, Lille is actually the only city with this level of compensation. In other words, Arnaud Deslandes currently receives the maximum allowance set for a mayor of a large city.

And with the MEL, the total can go up

A little detail that always interests: Arnaud Deslandes also holds a position at the Metropolitan Community of Lille, as vice president. This role entitles him to another allowance, but it's important to note that you can't just keep piling them on indefinitely: there is a legal cumulative cap that strictly regulates the total amount received. In short, yes, the amount can be higher thanks to the MEL, but always within very specific limits set by law.

A transparency issue that always gets reactions

This is typically the kind of info that...

generates a lot of clicks right after an election: out of curiosity, for the sake of transparency, or simply because people love to understand how local politics work. And in a city like Lille, with urban planning, security, major projects, and metropolitan issues, the role clearly resembles a full-time position.

Source: France 3 Régions, La Voix du Nord, City of Lille