Rillieux-la-Pape, France – Rillieux-la-Pape, a commune in the Lyon metropolitan area, is significantly expanding its “unique attire” policy, often referred to as a school uniform, to half of its primary schools for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year. Mayor Alexandre Vincendet, a member of the Horizons party, made the announcement, highlighting the positive outcomes of previous trials and the city’s commitment to fully funding the initiative to ensure equitable access for all families.
“Unique Attire” Policy Extended to Five Schools
The decision to extend the “unique attire” policy follows a successful initial experiment in two schools. Mayor Vincendet stressed that the adoption of the unique attire is never imposed but rather a pedagogical project supported by educational teams, discussed on a school-by-school basis, and voted on by teachers and parents in school councils. “The feedback has been positive, so for this 2026-2027 school year, we are moving to five out of the ten schools in the commune, which is 50%,” stated Vincendet.
Vincendet prefers the term “unique attire” over “uniform,” explaining that it’s not a strict uniform with ties like those seen in Anglo-Saxon countries. Instead, it’s a common outfit designed to foster a sense of belonging, reduce material inequalities linked to social disparities, and improve the overall school climate. He noted that having half of the commune’s schools involved in such a program is quite rare in the Rhône department and even at the national level.
The city has chosen to bear the cost of purchasing the outfits itself, rather than passing it on to families, to avoid penalizing those with low incomes. Parents are only required to pay a deposit. For this school year, the initiative represents a cost of approximately 130,000 euros, entirely financed by the city.
No “Gadget Politics” for Republican Ceremonies
When asked about similar initiatives, such as the regular republican ceremony with flag-raising proposed by Nice Mayor Éric Ciotti, Vincendet distanced himself from such approaches. “I have never been inspired by Éric Ciotti, and I didn’t wait for his announcement, made on the eve of a presidential election, which seems a bit opportunistic to me,” he remarked. He emphasized that the unique attire in Rillieux-la-Pape includes the school’s name and the city’s logo, symbolizing unity. However, he rejected the idea of incorporating the Marseillaise or flag-raising into school projects, stating, “Children are not soldiers. An announcement without a pedagogical project behind it is gadget politics, and I don’t like that.”
Addressing Climate Change and Security Concerns
Beyond the school attire policy, Mayor Vincendet also addressed other pressing issues facing Rillieux-la-Pape, including climate change adaptation in schools and public safety.
Cooling Classrooms for Future Heatwaves
Following a summer marked by repeated heatwaves, the city is taking proactive measures to equip its schools. “This year, we are equipping all 168 classrooms in the city with air circulators, at a cost of approximately 1,000 euros per classroom, totaling nearly 168,000 euros,” Vincendet detailed. Additionally, solar films are being installed on south-facing classrooms, and home automation systems with automatically closing shutters are being implemented based on temperature. These combined solutions have shown to reduce classroom temperatures by 5 to 6 degrees.
Combating Drug Trafficking and Urban Violence
Regarding security, Vincendet reported a relatively calm summer, despite some intentional fires during the dry spell, similar to many other communes. He noted that several minors were apprehended, and police and firefighters were highly responsive. The mayor underscored the severity of drug trafficking, stating, “Drug trafficking kills more today than terrorism in France.” He and Édouard Philippe are advocating for a dedicated state of emergency with exceptional resources to combat this issue, similar to measures taken against terrorism. Vincendet observed that Rillieux-la-Pape does not have “no-go zones” comparable to what he has witnessed in other popular neighborhoods of the agglomeration, indicating a degree of containment of the phenomenon.
On the topic of mandatory helmet use for scooter riders, a policy adopted by Villeurbanne, Vincendet expressed his view that a common national regulation is needed, rather than a patchwork of municipal decrees. He believes such a regulation should cover engine power, mandatory protective gear, and a clear prohibition of riding on sidewalks.
Future Urban Development and Political Ambitions
Vincendet, who also serves as Vice-President of the Métropole de Lyon in charge of urban renewal, outlined his priorities for housing and the future of the Part-Dieu district.
Unblocking Housing Production and the North Plateau Tramway
A key priority for Vincendet is to unblock housing production. He criticized the over-reliance on social housing in recent years, which he believes has weakened the entire ecosystem. He aims to restore a true balance, with around 25% social housing in line with the SRU law, and a mix of social, affordable, and free-market access. He is eagerly awaiting the return of the housing law to the National Assembly, particularly a new ANRU 3 component, which could benefit several neighborhoods in the metropolis.
The long-discussed tramway project for the northern plateau remains a crucial issue for Vincendet and the mayors of Caluire-et-Cuire and Sathonay-Camp. He emphasized that this is the last sector of the metropolis without heavy transport, hindering its development. Mobility forums are scheduled to begin with the Métropole, and Vincendet is convinced that the project will be launched during the current mandate. The chosen solution is a semi-buried tramway, estimated at around 850 million euros, which was selected over an extension of metro line B due to financial and technical reasons. This solution is expected to offer a faster and high-quality transport option, transforming the northern plateau.
The Return of Towers to Part-Dieu
Vincendet confirmed the ambition to see the return of towers to the Part-Dieu district. He believes that the initial vision of Gérard Collomb, which aimed to make Part-Dieu a major business district at the crossroads of the Paris-Marseille axis and near Geneva, was correct. He advocates for rethinking the use of these towers to make them more mixed, incorporating both office and residential spaces, and crucially, attracting corporate headquarters. He revealed that serious projects are emerging, including an international investor interested in building a tower near the Métropole headquarters.
Presidential Ambitions and Political Stance
Finally, Vincendet touched upon the 2027 presidential election, acknowledging his close ties with Édouard Philippe. He confirmed his regular exchanges with Philippe and considers himself part of his close circle. While not seeking specific positions, he believes the upcoming presidential election is one of the most important in the last thirty years. He expressed his concern about a potential second round that would only offer the French a choice between the far left and the far right.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/rillieux-la-pape_69286/alexandre-vincendet-maire-de-rillieux-la-pape-pres-de-lyon-nous-etendons-le-port-de-l-uniforme-dans-nos-ecoles_64727413.html
