The first round of municipal elections is less than a month away and for some it is routine. In the family of Laurent Courbis, who comes to a small town in Ardèche for a 4th term, we have been mayor from father to son ... since 1888. Reportage.

REPORTAGE

In a very short month, everyone will be able to consult the results of the first round of municipal elections. And at Chateaubourg, 250 inhabitants, in Ardèche, the ballot takes on the appearance of family history. In this village, we have been mayor from father to son for over 130 years! Indeed, since 1888, the Courbis "dynasty" has administered the village. The current mayor, Laurent Courbis, a 52-year-old winemaker, is running for his fourth term, as he tells at the microphone of Europe 1.

The 5th generation in power

His great-great-grandfather was elected in 1888, and the seat of mayor has since never left the family. He is the fifth generation of Courbis in power at Chateaubourg. Three of his ancestors even ruled the village just after the revolution in 1793, and until 1844 under Louis Philippe. So what is their secret? "You have to love your village, because it is part of your culture, and of your life. If you are attached to it, you want to do something for this village", simply states Laurent Courbis. "And you have to love people. If you don't like people, don't show up."

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"It would be nice to see new faces"

The current mayor is seeking a fourth term but he is a small player compared to his father who made six, or his great-grandfather who reigned 44 years. A constancy which, in the village, commands admiration, although some also want to renew. "It takes a little change from time to time," laughs a resident. "But hey what do you want: they have always run the town, and be careful, they want it anyway!"

"It's a business that works but I think it would be nice to see new faces," says another villager. A thirst for novelty which should lead to the next formation of a second list, but Laurent Courbis, whose son is currently only 14 years old, does not seem more worried than that.