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Read The Latest ReviewsElton, Bono, Paris & Kate in Beach Demolition Disaster
Elton John, Bono, Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, Bruce Willis, Ralph Lauren, even Saudi Princes and world statesmen – the list is endless - will all soon have to find a new summer playground if the Mayor of Ramateulle, a small district in the south of France, has his way.Pampelone Beach, made famous by Bridget Bardot in the 1950s movie, 'And God Created Woman’, has been declared an environmental hazard by the local councillors who claim that the 27 beach side restaurants and bars are eroding the sand dunes, damaging plant species and are in breach of laws intended to protect coastal regions. The Mayor has decreed that all the beach shacks must be demolished and the owners must reapply for planning permission to rebuild properties which can be dismantled each winter. To make matters worse the council wants to reduce the number of establishments to 21 so 6 unlucky owners will be out on their ear.
As you might imagine the rebellion is taking on the ferocity of another French revolution. The Pampelone restaurateurs may not quite be lining the councillors up for the guillotine just yet but the cutting responses to the demolition plans are coming fast and furious.
On the face of it this does seem like commercial suicide for Ramateulle. Up to 30,000 people visit the 3 mile beach each day over July and August generating revenue of €40m. The beach is by far the largest employer in the region.
Will the plans go through? As a frequent visitor to Pampelone over the last ten years, I doubt it. I do agree that some of the establishments are seedy and should go but a wholesale slaughter of all the restaurants would be crazy.
Club 55 and Tahiti Beach, two of the most famous restaurants are presumably safe. Both are built on privately owned land. Club 55 is named after 1955, the year in which it was established as a beach side bistro by the father of Patrice de Colmont, the current owner.
Even if some of the changes do go ahead it is very doubtful that the international stars who come from all over the world, many by private yacht, will have to find a new playground to while away those August days.
