French construction: a review of six years of crises and transformations

The French construction sector has experienced one of the most turbulent periods in its recent history. Faced with health, geopolitical, economic and social crises, construction professionals have had to adapt their methods, rethink their business models and accelerate their transformation.

For Olivier Salleron, president of the French Building Federation since 2020, these six years testify above all to the resilience of a sector essential to the French economy.

The resilience of buildings in the face of global crises

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit France, construction sites came to an abrupt halt, and the entire sector faced an unprecedented situation. Between health uncertainties, supply difficulties, and organizational constraints, construction companies had to quickly reinvent themselves to maintain their operations.

Barely recovered from this exceptional period, the industry is facing a new shock with the war in Ukraine. Soaring prices for steel, PVC, aluminum, wood, and many other construction materials are disrupting the economic balance of businesses. Added to this is a dramatic increase in energy costs, which is weakening the entire sector.

Faced with these difficulties, professional organizations are increasing their discussions with public authorities to obtain adaptation measures, particularly for public procurement. This mobilization helps to limit the impact of inflation and preserve some of the activity of construction companies.

A housing crisis at the heart of concerns

Over the years, the housing crisis has emerged as one of the major challenges facing the construction sector. Rising interest rates reduce household borrowing capacity, while evolving environmental regulations profoundly alter the conditions for new housing production.

The implementation of RE2020 represents a major step in the ecological transition of the building sector. While this regulation promotes the reduction of the carbon footprint of buildings, it comes at a time already marked by a slowdown in activity.

For Olivier Salleron, the housing crisis extends far beyond the construction sector. It directly impacts employment, regional attractiveness, professional mobility, and social cohesion. The sector is therefore calling for public policies capable of sustainably reviving construction and facilitating homeownership.

Attracting talent and promoting careers in the building industry

The labor shortage remains one of the structural challenges facing the sector. During its term, the French Building Federation has launched numerous initiatives aimed at increasing the attractiveness of the trades to younger generations.

The results achieved in international skills competitions illustrate the level of excellence of French professionals. The performances of the French teams at WorldSkills demonstrate that the building trades continue to attract talent capable of competing with the world's best specialists.

At the same time, several integration programs have enabled thousands of young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods to join companies in the sector. These initiatives confirm the role of the construction industry as a driver of social integration, training, and employment throughout the country.

Housing and land-use planning are at the heart of the debates.

The issue of territory has also marked these six years. The extension of the Zero Interest Loan (PTZ) to rural and peri-urban areas represents a significant step forward for households wishing to become homeowners outside of major metropolitan areas.

This development addresses a dual objective: to support local economic activity and to enable more French people to build their lives in rural areas. For construction companies, it also represents a key lever for maintaining local operations and supporting the development of rural communities.

Notre-Dame de Paris, a symbol of French know-how

Among the significant events of this period, the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris holds a special place. This exceptional project mobilized hundreds of companies and thousands of professionals from all over France.

Carpenters, stonemasons, roofers, ironworkers, joiners, and heritage restorers have demonstrated the excellence of French craftsmanship. The reopening of the cathedral has become a symbol of a profession capable of combining historical heritage, technical innovation, and a commitment to quality.

For Olivier Salleron, this construction project perfectly illustrates the richness of the building trades and their contribution to the preservation of national heritage.

The digital shift and artificial intelligence

These six years have also been marked by the acceleration of the sector's digital transformation. Long perceived as traditional, the building industry is now investing heavily in digital tools, BIM, collaborative platforms, and artificial intelligence.

The French Building Federation has chosen to support this evolution by developing tools designed to simplify the daily lives of tradespeople and contractors. The goal is to improve productivity, facilitate administrative management, and optimize business management.

For the profession, artificial intelligence now represents a major opportunity to gain efficiency while preserving the human expertise that remains at the heart of the construction trades.

A mandate marked by adaptation

As he prepares to hand over the reins, Olivier Salleron leaves behind a profoundly transformed profession. Successive crises have tested businesses, but they have also accelerated the sector's evolution.

The ecological transition, the digital revolution, new territorial challenges, recruitment difficulties, and the housing crisis have redefined the priorities of the French construction industry. Despite these uncertainties, the sector has demonstrated its capacity to innovate, adapt, and continue building the infrastructure, housing, and facilities that the country needs.

More than ever, the building sector appears as a strategic sector for the future of France. Between tradition and modernity, construction professionals continue to shape territories and support the major economic, environmental and societal transformations of the country.