Villeneuve-Loubet coastal erosion Maurettes parking saved, Digi Mart USA News (Villeneuve-Loubet, Alpes-Maritimes, France): A dispute between the French state and the municipality of Villeneuve-Loubet has been eased after the new prefect of Alpes-Maritimes reversed part of a decision made by his predecessor. Shortly before leaving office, the former prefect had signed an order condemning a car park and several beachfront establishments, citing coastal erosion and flooding risk.
The order, dated March 26, 2026, notified the town hall of a new map of the public maritime domain. It condemned several beach establishments and half of the free 100-space car park, with the state’s decision set to take effect on November 1, 2026.
The destruction of the communal car park’s half was estimated to cost 1.3 million euros.
Mayor Lionnel Luca described the situation as an unfounded catastrophe and welcomed the new prefect’s change of approach. Residents and local businesses had expressed alarm, with restaurant operators given only two months to demolish their premises and leave.
The beach between Marina Baie des Anges and Antibes has receded by roughly 40 meters over the past thirty years, according to the source. The municipality questioned why a public facility of general interest should be destroyed, and a standoff quickly developed between the prefecture and the town hall.
The mayor also highlighted the absurdity of the state authorizing the 20-kilometer arrival of the Marathon des Alpes-Maritimes Nice Cannes on the Maurettes car park on November 8, even though the same site had been ordered demolished before November 1.
The new prefect, Jean-Marie Girier, appointed on July 9, 2026, visited the site to understand the situation and open discussions. His revised decisions saved the Maurettes parking from demolition.
The Villa Azur hotel and the La Cabane restaurant, which are partially exposed, have been granted three years to carry out diagnostics and examine whether certain installations can be moved back.
The state has granted the municipality a ten-year temporary occupation authorization for the seafront car park, along with technical assistance for heavy reinforcement work estimated at 80,000 euros. Four other establishments, judged too threatened by flooding risk to be kept, are definitively condemned: the restaurants Raani, Mombasa Beach, Beach Klubber and 716 Beach.
The 716 Beach has received an administrative closure order, and appeals have been filed. A second establishment is already closed.
The state now intends to handle the matter at the departmental level, given that a large part of the Alpes-Maritimes coastline remains vulnerable. A departmental committee on coastal erosion will be established in 2027.
