Le Figaro Nice
Facade confidence or real certainties? In the final stretch of their adventure "Canua Island", which has lasted for seven years, the designers of this "floating beach" held a press conference Wednesday in La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), to "put the dots on the i", dixit Jean-Bernard Falco, president of Smart Island Riviera, the operating company. For a month, this barge intended to receive the public for entertainment as on a private beach but in the middle of the undulations of the Mediterranean, faces contrary currents. Criticisms of the environmental impacts of this atypical vessel have been made. Renaud Muselier, president of the PACA region, was first indignant about a project "devoid of common sense", before David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes and then the Minister of Ecological Transition himself, Christophe Béchu, skeptical about the usefulness of such a boat.
Faced with "this campaign of slander and the violence of these attacks", as Jean-Bernard Falco felt, the entrepreneur opted for the strategy of zero comments, just like the two thinkers of this floating island, the Frenchman Marc Audineau and the Fijian Tony Philips, two former skippers. Before holding this seduction and lustrous operation of presentation and visit of Canua Island. There was no shortage of laudatory qualifiers on Wednesday to talk about their "home". "This is an innovation that every French person can be proud of, it's a world first," said Jean-Bernard Falco. "This is an entrepreneurial project that I hope will be a reference," added former dinghy France champion Marc Audineau.
Temporality was not chosen by chance. Canua Island, docked very close to the maritime prefecture in Toulon, is only waiting for the validation of this institution to open. It must sail and anchor in the Gulf of Mandelieu-la-Napoule (Alpes-Maritimes), near Cannes. The giant trimaran (1750 m2 with one floor) has just obtained the green light from the safety commission to receive the public (capacity of 350 people). "We are compliant," says Marc Audineau as he sets foot on the boat's huge wooden deck. "We have zero doubts," added Jean-Bernard Falco. If we are not compliant, then no one is!" he smiles, looking at the other boats on the horizon.
If we are not compliant, then no one is!
Jean-Bernard Falco, President of Smart Island Riviera
However, nothing is done yet, even if the entrepreneur at the head of 56 four- and five-star establishments around the world promises that "it's only a matter of days" to his employees who question him in a messaging loop dedicated to the project. In his reply to Renaud Muselier's letter, the resident of the Hôtel de Roquelaure, Christophe Béchu, was doubtful and rather opposed. What influence the decision of the services of the State on the side of the Var? "The analyses carried out indicate that the project does not seem compatible with mooring to existing chests and that the fairground anchorage is not suitable," he explained, referring to article 40-3 of a March 2023 law against artificial islands. "But we are not one, corrects Marc Audineau. We want to give the feeling of being on an island but in reality, we are a ship."
On Friday, the three entrepreneurs must exchange with Renaud Muselier's firm. The position of the elected representative rallied to Renaissance has not changed. The region remains determined to derail the project. "This project has no place in our environment, explains the entourage of Renaud Muselier. In the context of the restriction imposed on the French, this type of project is unbearable." Even more than "the symbol of typical evenings of the Côte d'Azur and environmental concerns", this same critic believes that the project may lead to disturbances to public order. "We do not want to end up with the scenario of a Zad marine!" he says. And warns that the PACA region is preparing to file two appeals against the project in case of approval of the maritime prefecture (one for excess of power and a summary of suppression).
From left to right, Marc Audineau, Jean-Bernard Falco and Tony Philp, aboard Canua Island. L.H / Le Figaro
On the boat, however, everything is in place: the sun loungers, cushions, tables, plants, speakers, two bars, kitchens and an already filled pool. "All that's left is the goods!" say the bosses impatiently in front of empty fridges and wine cellar. Faced with potential legal actions, Jean-Bernard Falco retorts: "If some want to waste time in summary proceedings, our lawyers will be happy to collect some money," he explains. And I pledge that I will donate this money to associations for the preservation of the seas."
With an investment of 16 million euros of private funds as well as the support of BPI France, the entrepreneurs say they are "surprised" to have had to face such political turmoil. They boast 100 direct jobs created (three quarters of which have already been filled) for 400 indirect, as well as 2 million euros in contributions for local authorities. They promise that this place will not be a universe reserved for "the rich". "Tomorrow, we snap our fingers and we can be in Dubai. Everyone will be happy to welcome us, continues Jean-Bernard Falco. But I don't want that, I want to stay France, I have this pride."
