24/7 digital town hall in France

In Marolles-les-Braults, a commune of about 2,000 people in the Sarthe region, residents can perform administrative tasks online at any time. The town hall describes itself as "open 24/7," aiming to simplify daily life for residents and reduce staff workload.

Digital platform for administrative tasks

With the help of Nouvelle Époque, the commune developed a digital platform that allows residents to submit urban planning applications, book community halls, and manage school lunch registrations from their computers or phones. The commune claims to be the "first 24/7 and 7 days a week open town hall in France," though staff do not work around the clock, and some procedures still require staff validation.

Origins of the digital initiative

The initiative was not a direct response to resident demand but came from the realization that municipal service hours did not align with those of part of the population and from discussions on social networks. Nouvelle Époque had a project to fully digitize the first town hall or city in France, and the mayor's support, along with Cholet's interest in new technologies, made the project feasible.

Efficiency gains for staff

The digital transformation has improved staff efficiency by grouping tasks into a single interface to avoid redundant data entry. For example, parents can now report a child's absence until 8:30 am, with the number of meals automatically transmitted to cafeteria teams. Previously, the cafeteria manager spent two hours daily on administrative tasks, which can now be redirected to child-focused activities.

Staff adaptation and AI use

The transformation has also affected staff who have used multiple generations of tools. Cholet mentions Isabelle, a staff member who used a typewriter, who is now contributing improvements to the platform. The company notes that artificial intelligence plays a limited role, primarily through a chatbot powered by Mistral AI to handle basic user questions.

Technical infrastructure and security

On the technical side, Nouvelle Époque developed a closed, proprietary system, inspired by Apple's ecosystem. The previous municipal website used WordPress, which was vulnerable to attacks, so the company created modular code hosted on a dedicated server in France. Non-French third-party solutions like Microsoft 365 have been excluded, and the company plans to deploy a custom operating system soon.

Financial model and accessibility

The commune pays for the service through an annual subscription, and Cholet states that the termination of previous contracts will offset the costs. However, exact financial figures have not been disclosed. To address the digital divide, the commune maintains a physical reception area with a large touchscreen and keyboard, where staff assist users who struggle with digital tools, aiming to support their autonomy on other public portals.

Future goals and influence

The commune hopes to serve as an example for other communities, with Nouvelle Époque in contact with several other communes interested in similar initiatives. The project is seen as a potential model for other small towns seeking to modernize their administrative services.