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This grand avenue in the south of Paris is in the process of declining

undefined undefined 11 décembre 2025 undefined 08h30

The Editor

© Mbzt / Wikimedia Commons

For some time now, it's not uncommon to see shopfronts in Paris with their shutters down, covered in wild advertisements. This phenomenon is becoming more and more frequent, leading to the transformation of some of the capital's historic shopping streets. The latest one? Avenue du Général Leclerc, in the 14th arrondissement. 

A few years ago, General Leclerc Avenue, which connects Denfert-Rochereau Square to Orléans Gate, was celebrated for its commercial, accessible, and vibrant character. However, for a few months now, it no longer inspires anyone. Shops are closing one after the other, leaving behind empty spaces – some for more than 5 years. This phenomenon affects both store owners and local residents.


A Sad-Looking Avenue

According to Thierry Véron, president of the Federation of Merchants and Artisans Associations of Paris (Facap), as well as the Association of Merchants and Artisans of General Leclerc Avenue.

cute; General-Leclerc, that's when everything changes for this iconic area in the south of the capital. At that time, the Peugeot-Citroën garage closed its doors. And 5 years later, no one has taken over the about 5,700 m² of the place.

Since then, other big brands have followed suit, like the stores Zara, Maje, Naf Naf, and more recently, the bistro Paris Orléans, a true neighborhood institution forced to close its doors overnight. Over the past six years, the avenue has lost no less than 12% of its commercial offerings, which is about fifteen shops. It’s a vicious cycle; the fewer shops the area has, the less it attracts, and the less it attracts, the harder it is for shops to survive due to lack of customers.


Insurmountable Challenges

And unfortunately, this situation isn't unique to the 14th. Across the city, there's nearly 11% of vacant ground-floor spaces, compared to barely 9% in 2014. Behind most of these closures lies a simple phenomenon: rent prices that are way too high. The owner of Paris Orléans, for example, had to face...

to pay 210,000 euros per year, not including charges or the fee for the terrace.

Some local elected officials in the district are also pointing out a shift in the consumption habits of the locals. In light of this transformation in the neighborhood's image, many are hoping for a implementation of rent controls, as well as a return to accessible local businesses. In the meantime, many merchants in the area are wondering if they will be the next ones to have to shutter their doors…