Two agricultural mobilizations are announced in the Alpes-Maritimes this Thursday, January 22, 2026, starting at dawn. Tractor convoys are expected to form in Nice and Châteauneuf-de-Grasse, with an expected impact on the A8 highway and the main coastal roads. These gatherings are part of a national and European context marked by debates around the Mercosur agreement and long-standing local demands.
The morning of this Thursday, January 22, 2026 promises to be complicated for motorists traveling between Antibes and Nice. Two agricultural gatherings are scheduled from 6 a.m., with departures announced from 7 a.m. The chosen locations allow for quick access to major roads and to the A8 highway.
A first assembly point is set near the crematorium of the Nice metropolis, on the 6202. The second is announced at the Pré-du-Lac parking lot in Châteauneuf-de-Grasse. These two locations offer direct access to the highway, raising concerns about significant disruptions during rush hour.
The convoy positioned on the 6202 is located in the immediate vicinity of the A8 entrance at Nice Saint-Isidore (No. 52). If accessing the highway, the Nice Airport exit (No. 51) is the most direct route to the Nice administrative center. This section already experiences heavy traffic during morning hours.
The Châteauneuf-de-Grasse gathering could join the A8 via the Villeneuve-Loubet interchange (No. 47) around 8 a.m. Heading towards Nice, the farmers will then pass through one of the busiest sectors of the department, between Cagnes-sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, and Nice Airport. Daily slowdowns are already observed on this section, outside of any special events.
Road authorities therefore anticipate significant disruptions if tractors access the highway. The Villeneuve-Loubet to Nice Airport route appears most vulnerable. Users are urged to plan ahead or postpone trips, and to follow traffic updates on 107.7.
Two convoys and longstanding demands
This day of mobilization is part of a larger movement. Farmers in the Côte d’Azur have planned a snail operation and filtering roadblocks. These actions will have a direct impact on traffic. The snail operation is scheduled during peak hours. Filtering roadblocks are also announced at several strategic roundabouts. The stated goal remains to raise public awareness without completely blocking the roads.
“There will be no blockage but slowdowns with leaflet distributions to make our demands known. It’s not out of pleasure that we’re taking to the streets,” highlights Jean-Philippe Frère, President of the FDSEA.
The departmental federation of agricultural workers’ unions in the Alpes-Maritimes calls for widespread mobilization. The message emphasizes the role of agriculture in the local economy and territorial planning. “Without farmers, there is no food, no living territories, no future.”
The demands focus particularly on preserving agricultural land, access to water, and income. The FDSEA 06 mentions a situation of sustained tension. “Farmers are at their wit’s end,” denounces the FDSEA 06 in a statement. Our local agriculture has been declining for decades, with an accelerating hemorrhage in recent years.”
This mobilization echoes a previous action carried out on December 16, 2025. At the call of the Confédération Paysanne, several dozen farmers had gathered in front of the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture. The protest targeted the government’s health policy in response to the contagious nodular dermatitis epidemic.
The context extends beyond the departmental scope. The day of January 22 comes on the eve of an expected vote in the European Parliament. MEPs must decide on a possible referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding the validity of the Mercosur agreement. This text, negotiated since 1999, provides for the creation of a vast free trade area between the European Union and several South American countries. The European Parliament voted on Wednesday in favor of referring to the EU Court of Justice. This is a first piece of good news for farmers who do not want to give up yet.
On Tuesday, more than 5,500 protesters were counted by police during actions carried out at the European level.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, this Thursday’s mobilization combines local issues and international debates. On the ground, the consequences will be especially visible on the roads. Between Antibes and Nice, caution is advised from the early hours of the morning.
