Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of France's National Assembly, has defended a new visitor pavilion project, calling it "vital for democracy." The plan, chosen in 2024 after an architecture competition, involves building a new structure with a glass façade near the Palais-Bourbon, replacing an existing pavilion. The project also includes an underground section and will double the number of visitors to the site, from 200,000 to 400,000 annually. The goal is to enhance public access and provide educational experiences about French history and governance. Despite the support, the project has faced significant opposition. A petition against it has collected over 150,000 signatures, with critics arguing the new design will "uglyify" the area. Deputies from various political groups, including the far-right National Rally, have raised concerns about the impact on the architectural harmony of the site. They also question the cost of 53 million euros, which will be funded from the National Assembly's own reserves. Hélène Laporte, a National Rally vice-president, noted that the current pavilion lacks historical value and was built quickly without long-term planning, according to the architect of the Buildings of France. During a visit with the project's winning architect, Alain Moatti, Braun-Pivet highlighted the unused underground spaces beneath the Palais-Bourbon's iconic colonnade. These areas, once hidden, will be transformed into accessible spaces for visitors with reduced mobility. They will offer interactive exhibits on the history of the five French Republics and other educational content. Moatti expressed frustration over the criticism, calling the controversy "humiliating" and "shaming." He emphasized that his firm is committed to preserving heritage, having previously worked on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. The project is set to begin in 2028 but requires a change in zoning regulations to allow excavation under a courtyard. In response to the backlash, Braun-Pivet has pledged to have the National Assembly's executive body, its highest decision-making authority, reconsider the project once the necessary regulatory changes are approved. This move reflects the ongoing debate over balancing modernization with the preservation of historical landmarks in one of France's most symbolic political spaces.