A GROUP OF young squatters have refused to leave a 17th-century Parisian mansion they have occupied for more than two months, despite a court ruling that they should be evicted.
Some 32 students and activists moved into the €20 million house on the Place des Vosges in late October to draw attention to the shortage of low-rent housing in Paris and to the thousands of apartments lying empty in the city.
The building, which has 18 separate apartments, listed rooms and spectacular views, was the birthplace of the Marquise de Sévigné, an aristocrat celebrated for the wit of her letters. Victor Hugo once lived next door, and Paris Singer, a descendant of the sewing machine dynasty, rented it at the turn of the 20th century.
The current owner is Béatrice Cottin (87), who bought the house in 1963 with the intention of turning it into a foundation for Asian languages. She spent millions restoring it, but ran out of money while the work was being carried out. The building has lain empty for more than 40 years.
However, lawyers for Ms Cottin’s trustee say it remains her primary residence and have persuaded a court to evict the squatters, arguing that their presence in the abandoned property was causing their client immense distress.
The lawyers sought €140,000 in damages, but the panel of judges said the squatters should pay just €10,000, rising to €75,000 if they were not gone within eight days.
The young activists belong to a group known as Jeudi Noir, or Black Thursday – so called because that is the day of publication of Paris's main classified ads newspaper. They said yesterday that they would continue their occupation despite the court ruling, but sought talks with city hall, the local préfectureand representatives of the owner.