Coming from Essonne, Christian and his wife turn around.
The couple had planned a picnic this Sunday noon in the countryside but they turned back at the sight of the caravans of Travelers installed on the leisure center of the Cour Roland (Yvelines).
A bad surprise for families and onlookers who thought they would rediscover the pleasure of bucolic walks this weekend.
At the end of the day on Friday, around a hundred caravans took over the Domaine located between Jouy-en-Josas and Vélizy-Villacoublay, placing their camp in the main car park and the site's grassy rugby pitch.
"The balance of power was not in our favor", deplores the mayor
According to the police, quickly dispatched to the scene, the padlock blocking the gate to the field was broken and the electric gate forced.
"We could not do anything, we arrived immediately but the police were not numerous enough and the balance of power was not in our favor, laments Marie-Hélène Aubert, mayor (DVD) of Jouy-en-Josas.
This portal had just been changed.
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Throughout the day on Saturday, dozens of other vehicles swelled the ranks.
There would be, this Sunday morning, more than 150 caravans and as many cars.
A capital has been erected for mass, suggesting an evangelical mission.
According to the police, the community was previously installed in the PSA parking lot in Vélizy-Villacoublay.
She had been there for… two months.
Jouy-en-Josas, Sunday.
This domain covers 35 hectares.
Stephane Corby
However, the town of Jouy-en-Josas respects the rules for welcoming Travelers.
It has land on behalf of the Versailles Grand Parc intermunicipal association.
This situation allows him to hope for an expulsion of the nomads.
The prefecture issued a decree to this effect and a bailiff's report was drawn up.
"They are rather benevolent and always clean the site after their departure"
The mayor is counting on a departure in the coming days thanks to the assistance of the police. According to her, there is an emergency: located along the A86, the Domaine de la Cour Roland covers 35 hectares of green spaces with games for children, ponds, animals and sports facilities. The local tennis club, which has two indoor courts, has also warned its members that the facilities were closed “until further notice. The leisure center had just reopened its doors this weekend thanks to the deconfinement, after several months of closure. “It's a breath of fresh air for all families who live in apartments,” says Marie-Hélène Aubert. The beautiful days are returning and it is sad that the inhabitants do not take advantage of them. "
“When they settle in, it's complicated to dislodge them,” says Christian. We are going to find a peaceful corner elsewhere. "" They had already landed a few years ago, even in the parking lot of the Ibis hotel, remembers Bernard, a resident of the Metz district which borders the Domaine. They are rather benevolent and always clean the site after their departure but it is true that it is a real nuisance for the residents. "
