Far from the clash of swords clashing in the epic shows of the theme park he created near Carpentras, the Rocher Mistral, Vianney d'Alançon crossed swords with his adversaries at the Aix-en-Criminal Court. Provence, which sentenced him this Tuesday, February 13 to two fines of 70,000 and 20,000 euros accompanied by a simple reprieve, but above all, to rehabilitate a large part of the historic site on which the theme park is located, in particular the parking without which the operation of the park which receives 100,000 visitors each year would be impossible.
Le Rocher Mistral announces that it will appeal the judgment.
The Lyon entrepreneur had to answer for various violations of the Environment and Town Planning Code, for installations carried out in the absence of adequate administrative authorization.
He detailed before the judge all the hindering measures that Rocher Mistral considers to have undergone, blocking the issuance of the required administrative authorizations, due in particular to the opposition of the mayor of La Barben to the operation of the theme park. historical.
Read alsoVianney d’Alançon, knight of heritage
Already building on the success of the shows organized at the Château de Saint-Vidal (Haute-Loire), which he had also restored before organizing live shows there, the man who had already made himself known by founding the Laudate house (manufacturer of jewelry and in particular baptism medals) launched a new challenge in 2019, with the purchase of the Château de La Barben, near Salon-de-Provence.
Vianney d'Alançon undertook extensive restoration work there, in particular for the repair of the roof and the terraces, where water was seeping.
It also established a theme park, Rocher Mistral, which was inaugurated in 2021 and attracted nearly 300,000 visitors in three seasons, employing 150 people.
Stay of proceedings of the town hall
Another undeniable success to be credited to this heritage-loving entrepreneur, who was received in 2018 at the Élysée to discuss his passion for old French monuments.
But at La Barben, not everyone heard it that way.
Thus the installation of several infrastructures to develop the site required special authorizations, taking into account in particular the fact that the parking lot for visitors is located in a Natura 2000 area, and therefore protected.
Le Rocher Mistral claims to have first requested these authorizations, which require the mayor's consent.
Which published several decrees to impose a stay of proceedings, postponing its decision until two years later, according to Rocher Mistral.
Read alsoThe Provençal theme park of Rocher Mistral taken to court by its opponents
Le Rocher Mistral highlights the ideological dimension of the conflict between it and Franck Santos, mayor of La Barben.
The latter decided to block the operation of the site since a press campaign notably called into question the project itself: quickly described as
"Provençal Puy du Fou"
by journalists, the Rocher Mistral faces the same criticisms as the Vendée park, in particular on its romanticized vision of history.
“Le Rocher Mistral will remain open in the summer of 2024!”
The Rocher Mistral has therefore decided to appeal, hoping that the legal procedure will still allow the park to remain open to visitors:
“the Rocher Mistral will remain open in the summer of 2024!”
declares to Le
Figaro
a close friend of Vianney d’Alançon.
The court's deliberations require the restoration of the site by requesting in particular the removal of the concrete slab allowing access to the large gallery of the fortress, the removal of the wooden installations allowing visitors to attend summer shows, as well as the restoration of the
“vegetable garden”
where the current parking lot is located.
The Rocher Mistral was acquitted regarding the damage done to a species of bats that found refuge in the deserted galleries of the castle, formerly left partly abandoned.
“If we comply with this judgment, it would mean the closure of the park. We cannot resolve it, that is why we are appealing,”
specifies Rocher Mistral.
In a press release, the park said it was the victim of
“harassment”
and expressed its incomprehension regarding this court decision.
“The administrative and regulatory mille-feuille which governs the restoration and activities of a historic monument is the perfect opportunity to harm those who want to revive the heritage and create a popular cultural site
,” declare the site managers.