Pétain had little love for Paris, which he distrusted and intended to reduce in importance, but his aggressive indifference was not reflected in the policies of the administrations during the Occupation period, which carried out intense activity for four years, freed from any control by elected assemblies, following the suspension of municipal and general councils.
The regime also undertook the expropriation of the non aedificandi zone surrounding Paris, which had been constantly postponed since 1919, and built a number of sports complexes - the only new buildings erected during the Occupation. A network of parks and public gardens was developed for the entire Seine department, including the Parc de la Courneuve.
Under the leadership of engineer René Mestais, the urban planning administration continued to work on a development plan for Paris intra-muros, whose territory had not been covered by the regional plan drawn up in 1934, suggesting the creation of new roads, including a boulevard périphérique that had not previously been considered. At the same time, regional planning studies envisaged the creation of satellite towns for the working-class population.
In Paris itself, the policy of slum clearance accelerated, with the elaboration of a detailed project for the Hôtel de Ville district and part of the Marais, combined with the expulsion of its Jewish inhabitants. It was at this time that the doctrine of "curettage" of old fabrics was formulated.
