The city of Saint-Laurent-du-Var and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis denounce a failure to respect the commitments related to the installation of a temporary large transit area for travelers. The mayor is calling on the prefect.
For a few days, the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Var has been facing a situation deemed problematic by its elected officials. A temporary large transit area was installed by decision of the prefect of Alpes-Maritimes. It was supposed to accommodate, until August 4, a maximum of 120 families, or 120 mobile homes. This limit had been defined by a prefectural decree dated June 17, 2025.
However, according to a statement released on Saturday, June 28 by the municipality and the Metropolis, the situation quickly got out of the planned framework. According to local authorities, 198 caravans and 74 additional vehicles were installed from the early hours. About fifteen caravans reportedly set up even outside the requisitioned lands, on operating farmland plots.
A farmer allegedly could not access his fields to harvest his zucchini and monitor his lemon trees. The city and the Metropolis see this as a clear breach of the commitments made.
“These behaviors reflect an obvious disregard for the commitments made and the terms of the prefectural requisition,” reads the statement.
The commune calls on the State
Before this installation, a mediation phase was conducted by the Soliha association. Present on-site, it was supposed to support the different parties so that coexistence proceeded well. However, local elected officials believe that the commitments resulting from this mediation have not been respected.
The Metropolis specifies that it has deployed significant resources to make the site accessible: waste cleaning, arrangements for water and electricity, securing the surroundings. A house threatening to collapse and an animal shelter were also taken into consideration.
These efforts, according to the municipality, were rendered vain by a massive influx of caravans, installations deemed unsanctioned, and conflicts of use with residents and farmers.
Moreover, the elected officials denounce poor road accessibility to the site. The early arrival of the first groups, before the scheduled time, allegedly caused significant traffic jams in the late afternoon.
For the city and the NCA Metropolis, this situation justifies the criticisms made beforehand to the Administrative Court of Nice. During this appeal, they highlighted the inappropriateness of the chosen site due to its configuration and proximity to homes and crops.
“We are people who advocate for peace”
On-site, the tone is different. The pastor representing the evangelist community of travelers stated to France 3 Côte d’Azur:
“Everything is going well. (…) We will do everything to ensure it goes well during the 15 days we’re here. We are people who advocate for peace.”
An official count was scheduled for Monday, June 30. In the meantime, the commune of Saint-Laurent-du-Var calls on state services to enforce the limits set by the prefectural decree and to take necessary measures to restore order. The issue of compensations for farmers is also raised.
The prefect has not yet publicly responded to these requests. The case remains closely monitored, at a time when the issue of accommodating travelers remains a sensitive topic in the territory.
