Lavandou sparks debate after spending €916,300 to preserve seafront plot
Le Lavandou’s council has approved the €916,000 purchase of a protected coastal plot in Saint-Clair, a move the mayor says will preserve natural space but which has drawn criticism from the local opposition.
A major land purchase in the coastal town of Le Lavandou in the Var has stirred political tensions after the council approved the acquisition of a 1,383m² coastal plot in the Saint-Clair district for €916,300 (or €926,469 including fees).
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Mayor Gil Bernardi said the aim is to “protect natural spaces near the shoreline and showcase century-old vegetation”, noting strong private interest in developing the site.
The local urban plan already bans any change of land use, effectively preventing construction.
Bernardi admitted the price was high but insisted the purchase required no loan and no external public funding, saying the council was able to finance it at the end of the financial year.
Once cleared and maintained, the land will be opened to the public from January, complementing the neighbouring “Ferme d’Elie”, a 6,800m² garden open on Wednesdays.
However, the spending has drawn criticism from opposition councillor Bertrand Carletti, who questioned priorities after the town simultaneously took out a €1 million loan to repair storm-damaged roads in Cavalière.
He argued it was contradictory to borrow heavily for repairs while celebrating a fully self-financed land buy.
The mayor dismissed the comparison, saying the loan covered essential works on uninsured public infrastructure, while the land purchase was a separate investment decision.
The area is popular with many high profile figures, such as former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni, who have a holiday residency there.