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French mayors criticise authorities for inaction over illegal caravan encampments

23.07.2026 00:17 1 min 2 sources
France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine FRA + 1 more
French mayors criticise authorities for inaction over illegal caravan encampments
Original source: France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine

In Brief

Around 60 caravans illegally occupied private land in Gironde, while 100 caravans took over a vacant lot in Marguerittes. Mayors accuse the state of failing to support them and call the situation hopeless.

France is seeing a rise in illegal caravan encampments. On 15 June, about 60 caravans occupied private land between Gujan-Mestras and Le Teich (Arcachon basin, Gironde). The site lies within a Natura 2000 zone. Mayors accuse the state of inaction: the prefecture sent gendarmes to secure the installation rather than prevent the violation. The landowner filed a complaint; eviction proceedings have begun but, according to the mayor of Le Teich, could take one to two weeks.

Earlier, on 2 June, around 100 caravans took over a vacant lot in Marguerittes (Gard department). The mayor described the situation as "hopeless" due to the lack of a specially equipped area in the department for temporarily accommodating large groups of travellers.

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Aggregated by OpenVan.camp from the public sources listed below, with AI-assisted translation and summary. We always link to the original source. Machine translation may differ from the original -- check the source for important details. Images and content remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright information

Story sources

Mayors criticize state inaction over illegal caravan installation in Gironde

16.06.2026 France 3 Nouvelle-Aquitaine FRA Original source

Mayor of Marguerittes says he is powerless over caravan encampment

02.06.2026 Le réveil de midi FRA Original source
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