Indeed, the weather had forecast a possible repeat of last month’s sea storm, which caused enormous damage to the beaches and beachgoers in Nice, resulting in significant commercial and, consequently, financial losses, especially for those who have not yet been able to resume operations.
And the wind, which has been blowing so strongly for a few days, is indeed the best witness to the announced danger.
It was therefore with great surprise that, on Thursday morning, regulars of the “Prom” noticed that the Blue-Beach had opened its doors, welcoming its clients as usual (at least 50 if not more)… In short, as usual!!
Deckchairs, sunbeds, and restaurant tables were set up for a most ‘normal’ working day… and this despite the city council’s decree displayed a few meters away!!!
This situation was noted by frequenters of the neighboring public beach, who approached municipal police officers to ask for explanations (“the danger stops at public beaches… but are the paying ones safer?” – were the usual protests) regarding this fact.
In reality, all the private beaches had closed their doors, except one… the Blue-Beach, whose manager is René Colomban, who is also the president of the Nice beach operators’ association!!! And thus in a state of commercial disloyalty towards his colleagues!
The intervention of the Municipal Police meant that, around noon, the clients of Blue-Beach were asked to leave the premises, which they did under the amused gaze of the few people who had gathered, and, naturally, in order and good spirit.
One is left to wonder how and why a presumably informed professional like Mr. René Colomban could opt for “non-compliance” with the municipal ordinance, and how and why the Municipal Police waited for citizens’ reports (unless there are other circumstances of which we are not aware, despite being present at the scene) to intervene and end this illegal situation while it was their duty to enforce the municipal ordinance from the first morning.
This episode, of course, should not be exaggerated in its importance but reminds us of the animal fable in the allegorical novel “Animal Farm” written in 1945 by the English writer George Orwell (the same author of the more famous book “1984”), in which one can read the quaint expression: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others”… Or at least, believe they can be.
