The National Council of the Order of Architects is pushing for significant reforms as France approaches municipal elections and marks the 50th anniversary of its architecture law. Council President Christophe Millet is advocating for enhanced government support for rehabilitation projects and territorial protection.

Following the French Senate's recognition of rehabilitation as an act of public interest earlier this year, the National Council of the Order of Architects (Cnoa) is promoting an ambitious architectural policy agenda. President Christophe Millet met with Culture Minister Rachida Dati in late June 2025 to discuss the profession's priorities, covering a wide range of issues including architect shortages, agency succession planning, ministry services, relationships with local communities, and the 2027 Venice Biennale.

The meeting came ahead of the Order's national convention held in Lille at the end of June, which Millet described as a major success and a moment of unity among elected officials. The convention attracted nearly 350 participants, making it potentially the most well-attended of all conventions organized to date. All regions were represented, and external speakers from the scientific and political worlds participated in a day and a half of conferences centered around the idea that territories are the solution to climate change adaptation.

Notable speakers included members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climatologist Valérie Masson-Delmotte, and paleoclimatologist Jean Jouzel from the scientific community. Political figures included Deputy Violette Spillebout from the Ensemble party and Senator Olivier Henno from the Centrist Union. The convention also addressed artificial intelligence, with Senator Henno providing particular insights on this topic.

Regarding recent legislative developments, the Senate unanimously adopted in first reading the inscription of rehabilitation into the 1977 architecture law as an act of public interest in March 2025. This significant recognition has become a key talking point in discussions with government officials.

During the February presentation of the National Strategy for Architecture 2025-2029 and the presentation of the presidential program "Neighborhood of Tomorrow," Culture Minister Dati emphasized that behind every project, there must be an architect. She carries political ambition on this subject, according to Millet.

The Cnoa, in collaboration with various ministries and their services, is working to implement policies aimed at preserving territorial identity in the face of climate change and architectural transformation. The organization has reaffirmed to Minister Dati its commitment to working with her ministry on these critical issues.

Millet explained that they had made specific proposals to strengthen the General Directorate of Heritage and Architecture, viewing this as essential for advancing their policy objectives. The architects' organization sees this reinforcement as crucial for addressing the multiple challenges facing the profession and the built environment in France.

The push for enhanced government support comes at a critical time as France grapples with climate adaptation requirements, urban development pressures, and the need to preserve its architectural heritage while accommodating modern needs. The architects argue that their profession plays an essential role in balancing these competing demands and that stronger institutional support is necessary to achieve national objectives.

The upcoming municipal elections provide an opportunity for the architectural community to influence local policy decisions that directly impact their work and the communities they serve. The 50th anniversary of France's architecture law also offers a symbolic moment to reassess and strengthen the legal framework governing architectural practice and urban development.

As discussions continue between the architectural profession and government officials, the focus remains on creating a more robust institutional framework that can effectively address contemporary challenges while preserving France's rich architectural heritage for future generations.