“We are betting on continuity after 2026 to continue the renovation of the city” declares the mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze

The mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze Jean-Yves Chapelet, Friday, September 13, at the Pyramide, in the finalization phase. C.B.

For his political comeback, the mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze Jean-Yves Chapelet has covered the topics concerning his city.

"A local political comeback" on the stands of the Pyramide concert hall, the construction of which is nearing completion. Quite symbolic for the mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze Jean-Yves Chapelet. "The inauguration of the Pyramid is the highlight of the end of the year and the beginning of next year"he stressed on Friday, September 13, during a press conference where various topics were discussed.

Projects

"We are in the last full year of the end of the mandate (the next municipal elections will take place in spring 2026). In September 2025, we will be in pre-campaign with different concerns. Many projects underway are to be finalized" reminded Jean-Yves Chapelet. Covering of the small pool of the swimming pool, the work on which will start this month, Maïa footbridge along the Robert-Schuman bridge,"by the end of the mandate or at the beginning of the next", the continuation of the transformation of the Escanaux district… “A mandate is needed for a large-scale project like the Pyramid. All construction sites are the culmination of continuity. In Bagnols, we paid dearly for the political alternation for 25 years” comments the Bagnolais, elected in the majority since 2008. "Today the finances are healthy […] The year 2025 will be made of real challenges, with unknowns: what will the finance law be ? I don't know. In any case, we will continue everything that is started".

Drug trafficking

"We managed to get the dealers out of the Cloud Tower by working with the prefect. We fight every day. The strategy adopted was to control the consumers, to give them fines" explains the mayor. The majority of consumers come from outside the city. “80% of them are not from Bagnolais”. Dealers have also been arrested. “Justice is playing its role: they have sentences”.

“For illegal dumping, we are winning the battle in the city center”

Illegal dumping

“On 90% of the city, the implementation of the incentive fee is going well, but there are two black spots: downtown and both private and social vertical housing” the mayor emphasizes. “We are winning the battle over the downtown area. Two people are picking up fly-tipping.“During the first rounds, 1.5 tonnes of fly-tipping were collected each day, “today it is 700 kg”. In addition, two ambassadors are currently going door to door to provide the last 650 households with a badge to access the voluntary drop-off points. To complete the system, in addition to the 14 cardboard containers installed, new voluntary contribution points will be created in the escutcheon, small yellow numbered bags will also be distributed.

Shops

“The shops in the city center are closing, it's a real concern and there are several factors including the evolution of society” Jean-Yves Chapelet worries. “Camaïeu and Jennyfer closed, a national decision while locally, it was working. It brought us to our knees”. Rue de la République, “we had closures before the summer… Rue de la Poulagière is holding”. The situation of commerce in the city center is not improving, “like everywhere", “despite the rental assistance, the subsidies for businesses… We need to change strategy, be more imaginative". On the other hand, “medium-sized stores are working”. As for the Cèze market halls, which have closed, “another private project will be done by the owner. It will be another concept. We will be able to help him technically”.

Cycling paths

The city that works with the Gard ô climat association to develop cycle paths. “There will be a major construction site on Avenue Vigan-Braquet with the construction of two cycle paths“. The goal, in the long term, is to “connect all the city's paths” explains the city councilor who is used to cycling. This year again, the city is organizing a cycling and walking festival on Saturday, October 12, at Place du Posterlon and Boulevard Théodore-Lacombe.

Elections

Jean-Yves Chapelet has made no secret of it for several months. He will be a candidate in the 2026 municipal elections, with "a list composed of old and new members who work for the city's interests". But he insists, "ite will be without the extremes whether it is the RN or LFI. I am a social democrat". A member of the PS for 32 years, he no longer belongs to any party.
"The municipal team is looking ahead to 2026, we are betting on continuity to continue our plans to renovate the city. There will be an expansion of the Anru (national agency for urban renewal) until 2028″.

“We are waiting for the eviction order for the mosque”

The association of Muslims of the Gard rhodanien was to be evicted in June from the municipal building housing the At-Tawba mosque. The termination of the lease between the City of Bagnols-sur-Céze and this association was voted on by the city council on April 2, following the case of Imam Mahjoub Mahjoubi. The latter, who preached in this Bagnols mosque and was a member of the association, was expelled to Tunisia after controversial remarks.

“There have been appeals. We are waiting for the expulsion order” explains the mayor of Bagnols-sur-Cèze.