The incumbent Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoë (PS), faced UMP candidate Françoise de Panafieu who was chosen to head his party's list in a primary election held in 2006.

The MoDem MEP and François Bayrou supporter, Marielle de Sarnez, was the centrist candidate.

Control of the 20 arrondissements of the French capital was also to be decided in the elections.

Of these, the PS-Greens-MRC controlled 12 (10 PS, 1 Green, 1 MRC) and the UMP eight.

As a result of the election, Bertrand Delanoë was re-elected with a larger majority.