Le Figaro
In the Alpes-Maritimes, Vence is one of those small Mediterranean towns full of charm, both urban and dynamic but preserved from the hustle and bustle of large neighboring cities, such as Nice, Antibes or Cannes.
With 18,000 inhabitants per year, Vence is an urban village.
The ancient medieval city, surrounded by ramparts, known to have been the refuge of the painter Henri Matisse in the autumn of his life, also regularly appears on the podium of cities where life is good in France.
But according to some, all this could soon disappear.
The fault, according to them, is an “excessive urban planning policy”.
We would build more in Vence than is reasonable, with all the harmful consequences that this entails.
In any case, this is what the members of a local collective which was formed at the beginning of January denounce.
For the first time on Saturday morning, they demonstrated next to “Chagall”, a vast real estate program of around 200 housing units, the hub of all the tensions.
“
An urban planning aberration”
, denounces the collective in a press release, believing that this type of operation will be repeated if they say nothing.
“As a Vençois, we have seen the city evolve with this type of enormous project for several years.
Everyone was first worried and concerned about what was being built in front of their homes, and then the problem became of general interest
,” explains Alexandra Mauduit, member of the collective.
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“Vence-concrete”
Because “Chagall” would only be an illustration.
The collective also denounces the construction of a three-story specialized reception house in a residential area, on a green space of 3,000 square meters.
But also a “Ricolfi” building project on a plot where there would be very little space or even major construction near the Cadrans Solaires clinic, to the south of the town.
For Alexandra Mauduit, Vence
“is not capable of absorbing such projects.
Each municipality has limits and this is not possible
,” she exclaims.
A feeling shared by some local residents and traders met.
In particular Danielle, 79 years old, a lifelong Vençoise.
The latter lives just opposite the “Chagall” construction site, at the square of the same name.
“Today we have the feeling of suffocation.
We build everywhere, all the time.
Not to mention that we lose the charm of Vence before.
I call it “Vence-Béton” from now on
,” she regrets.
A nearby couple of florists are worried about the arrival of new neighbors:
“On the one hand we say to ourselves that we are going to have new customers, but on the other hand we will no longer be able to move around, it will be the constant hustle and bustle
,” they analyze.
“Today it’s already difficult, but tomorrow when there are these buildings, let’s not talk about it
,” says Danielle.
In 2024, our Prime Minister is talking to us about zero net artificialization of soils, here we are far from it!
All the natural spaces that are destroyed thanks to the ambitions of a few developers are abnormal.
Alexandra Mauduit, member of the collective against the urbanization of the city.
This is largely what the members of the collective denounce.
“There is of course the question of parking, that of infrastructure in general, schools, doctors... The city is not ready
,” adds Alexandra.
The latter then points out the environmental consequences.
“In 2024, our Prime Minister is talking to us about
zero net artificialization
of soils, here we are far from it!
All the natural spaces that are destroyed thanks to the ambitions of a few developers, it’s abnormal
,” continues La Vençoise.
In addition to the nuisance generated by long-term work, the collective also places emphasis on safety issues.
“We must not forget that we are on a terrace, with sloping floors which are not made for that!”
, agrees Alexandra.
The latter cites as proof the collapse of Prat-de-Julian a few years ago, a district of the city subject to a spectacular landslide.
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SRU law and consultation
Régis Lebigre is not deaf to the arguments of his constituents.
The mayor of Vence agrees on one observation:
“These programs are going too fast in too little time, it’s not digestible.”
And to recall that under his mandate, only two real estate program authorizations were issued, compared to 18 under the previous one, for 700 housing units.
“Obviously, we pay for all this and I understand that it can be shocking.
But what can we do?
Oppose the promoters?
This would mean losing them tens of millions of euros and above all, it would be illegal.
We would be in violation.
Should I then remind you that all mayors are subject to a local housing plan?
With a SRU law which requires us to have 20% social housing in the municipality.
Well, imagine that we are only at 7% in Vence.
With a penalty last year of 940,000 euros
,” he explains.
The year 2024 is not starting much better - despite Gabriel Attal's recent announcements during his general policy speech - since the municipality has just been declared deficient by the prefecture.
There are always a few local residents impacted by a project, that’s how it is.
Moreover, in my municipality I have 486 requests for housing, often for single women with children and low incomes.
What should I do ?
Send them Chagall’s opponents?
Régis Lebigre, mayor of Vence.
The mayor, however, is surprised by the sudden rise in power of the protest.
“For Chagall, there had been the broadest possible consultation with the residents and it had been unanimously validated by the municipal council on December 24, 2018. The same people who are rebelling today were not opposed to the 'era'
, he remarks.
And to tackle:
“The general interest is not the accumulation of all particular interests.
But that’s what we’re talking about here.
There are always a few local residents impacted by a project, that’s how it is.
Moreover, in my municipality I have 486 requests for housing, often for single women with children and low incomes.
What should I do ?
Send them Chagall’s opponents?
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Whistleblowers
“We have nothing against the people who arrive in these buildings!”
retorts Alexandra Mauduit.
She pleads for the existing to be renovated rather than buildings being
“embedded in the heart of the city”.
“We listed vacant housing, it didn’t yield much.
We have listed around ten, hardly more
, sweeps the mayor.
As far as traffic is concerned, we are spoiled, we don't experience traffic jams in Vence, apart from the road junction at Chagall during the construction period."
The latter says he is ready to discuss with the collective.
Better, to integrate it into future thoughts on the development of the city.
In this sense, he invited him to a meeting in his office ten days ago.
“We reached out to them.
I regret that this has now resulted in a demonstration.
As I say it again and again, let's work together!
Obviously, if it is a question of no longer respecting the law, in this case I invite them to turn to our deputies and senators
,” concludes Régis Lebigre.
“We are whistleblowers, not partisans.
It is a subject of general interest which concerns all municipalities.
It’s a whole chain that needs to change, we start at our level
,” says Philippe Therias, another member of the collective.