The ‘tiers-lieux culturels’ as cultural and social infrastructures, and their support in French public policies

This paper examines the conceptualisation of the term ‘tiers lieu’- translatable as ‘third place’- in French policy, emphasising its potential to offer an alternative to the ‘infrastructural turn’ in territorial policy. By focusing on ‘tiers lieux culturels’ (TLC), it examines the emergence of this concept, its adoption by public actors across various levels in France, and its implications for those managing these spaces, while addressing associated controversies. Drawing on research projects funded by Region Sud, ANR, and MSH-Paris Nord, the paper investigates several TLC in Southern France. It employs an analysis of institutional documents, interviews with TLC founders, managers, and teams, as well as ethnographic observations. The findings reveal that TLC policies often grapple with tensions between funding frameworks and the multifaceted identities of these spaces. These tensions are shaped by conflicting dynamics, including neoliberal/creative city paradigms versus cultural rights/participatory city ideals, and the expectations of policymakers who envision TLCs as emerging democratic utopias. • This paper examines the conceptualisation of the term “tiers lieu” in French policy and academic contexts, highlighting its potential to offer an alternative to the ‘infrastructural turn’ in territorial policy. • TLC policies navigate between funding mechanisms priorities and the diverse identities of these spaces. • Policies are shaped by competing creative city vs participatory city logics and growing expectations from policy makers. • The spread of TLC calls for renewed policy thinking on cultural infrastructures—supporting their growth while resisting over-institutionalisation.