Straw huts are back in Vendres despite uncertainties and delays

Guillaume Gondard, one of the managers of Chichoulet Plage. He does not understand the arguments of environmentalists. Midi Libre – Gaelle Liot

Hugues and Patricia, lovers of “this friendly place.” Midi Libre – Gaelle Liot

Les différentes Paillotes du cap-Agde à Vendres. Midi Libre – Antoine Llop

De Vendres au Cap-d’Agde, la saison des paillotes débute doucement sur les plages. Dans un contexte de fermeté de l’État, chaque commune doit défendre ses intérêts. Exemple à Vendres.

"We have had no visibility for two years, we know that we have been in the hot seat since 2022. We are still on reprieve for the period 2023-2024", worries Guillaume Gondard, owner of Chichoulet Plage in Vendres.

Because the huts in this town are in the crosshairs of France Nature Environnement. Last January, the association asked the administrative judge to cancel part of the renewal of the Vendres beach concession, under the Littoral law (read below). Since then, the legal procedure has continued its course, like a sword of Damocles hanging over the head… Even if the Council of State is not expected to rule for several months.

"No ecological impact, on the contrary"

In his hut by the sea, deckchairs and tables set up, music barely audible, Guillaume Gondard does not understand why: "My wooden hut placed on the sand has no ecological impact, quite the contrary. The taxes from our rent (22,000 € in total from June to October) which go to the town hall are used to preserve the coastline and rebuild the dunes.

And to add: "The same rules are imposed on us as the straw huts of La Grande Motte, but we do not have at all the same surface area of ​​establishment, nor the same impact on the establishment ;rsquo;environment." But this lot is included in two SRCE (Regional Ecological Coherence Scheme) zonings and in a Natura 2,000 zone. It is above all registered as being a remarkable and characteristic Space of the coastline in the Territorial Coherence Scheme (SCOT). Remarkable spaces where the installation of establishments is prohibited.

An integral part of the local economic fabric, supported by the surrounding businesses and campsites, the professional does not understand the persistence of environmentalists in "wanting their disappearance". "The nearby marina has much more ecological impact, assures his partner David Sérès. The mayor supports us a lot, we have an obligation to make showers and toilets available to the public whether they are customers or not, this avoids waste in nature and allows surveillance of the beach."

"With us, everything is removable"

Far from the clichés of the Côte d’Azur "where we can no longer pass between the huts, with us everything can be dismantled, we are present on the beach only from June to October”, recalls Guillaume Gondard.

Jean-Pierre Perez, the mayor of Vendres, says he is “optimistic”

The State can grant natural beaches to municipalities according to a regulatory procedure. Then, municipalities can allocate lots to private operators via a public service delegation. In 2022, the date on which the Vendres concession was to be renewed, a derogation regime was put in place… "We obtained an extension for 2024", explains the mayor of Vendres, Jean-Pierre Perez . Except that the prefectural decree was the subject of a request to the administrative court. Unfair for the elected official: "We agreed to declare these Remarkable Areas, we did everything to preserve biodiversity and we are punished because’we managed to preserve natural beaches.&quot ; Of the four concessions targeted, only two are still exploited, Nomada having decided not to go up.Jean-Pierre Perez, who wants to be "optimistic", is working on the development of a "Beach development plan" with the aim of obtaining a permanent exemption.

"There should be more businesses like this"

Deep in their armchair by the sea, Patricia and Hughes arrive from Saint-Chinian: "We had to settle some business in Béziers, and we took the opportunity to stop at the hut at Chichoulet beach. There should be more businesses like this, it livens up the beach and gives it appeal. I love nature but there is not much tourist space and this place is friendly." For 30 years in the region and former inhabitants of the Côte d’ ;rsquo;Azur, they remember: "When we arrived from Saint-Tropez, we found that the great Biterrois Hérault was 50 years late…"

In this context, the owners of Chichoulet beach still hope for the stabilization of their activity. "The age of our hut of more than 30 years will allow us to stay on site", they estimate.

Laurence Antoine: “We feel targeted and we really are”

Treasurer of the Plage Plus Occitanie association, which brings together beachgoers, and at the head of L’Infini, in Cap-d’Agde, Laurence Antoine testifies to a climate "d& ;rsquo;oppression" for professionals. With problems piling up: "Huge delays, complicated recruitments. I don't see what profession, other than farmers, is so impacted ? We feel targeted. And we really are. We are in a beautiful country, with many problems to solve. Once the beachgoers have disappeared or been wiped out, will the situation really improve ?”, she asks, cynically. from June 20. "I have never experienced so many difficulties in such a short time, she explains again.  And unfortunately, I think there are people who won't be able to cope. But maybe that's the goal."

 At the moment, the association does not have up-to-date figures on the evolution of the number of beachgoers. But the legal complications linked to the renewal of public service delegations and administrative delays will have consequences. Just like ecological constraints. "The number of concessions will be reduced de facto."

This year, on the west coast of Hérault, the municipalities of Agde and Valras were in this situation of renewal of concessions. "It will be around Marseillan next year and they are already anxious about the future of their business…"
Laurence Antoine, however, wants to concentrate on the field: "The goal is to open in the best conditions. It’s a real job. We offer moments of happiness, people are waiting for us."

I subscribe to read more