Les Aresquiers, in Frontignan.
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N. Bonzom / Maxele Presse
In Aresquiers, in the town of Frontignan in Hérault, the inhabitants of the huts are threatened with expulsion by the State.
In 2014, the prefecture ordered the evacuation of the premises, due to its situation in a flood zone.
Since then, the State and the inhabitants have engaged in a legal battle.
If the walls belong to the inhabitants, no one owns the plots, but all have always paid property and housing taxes.
For years in Aresquiers, the inhabitants have been fighting to keep their homes.
On this little piece of land, wedged between a canal and a pond, in Frontignan (Hérault), the fishermen's huts, the first of which were built in the 19th century, have become, over the years, real cottages.
If the walls belong to them, no one owns the plots, but all have always paid property and housing taxes.
Some live there all year round, others stay there only a few months.
But no one wants to give up this little paradise.
It is however well threatened: in 2014, the prefecture did not want the temporary occupation agreements to be renewed, and had ordered the evacuation of the premises, due to its situation in a flood zone.
Les Aresquiers, in Frontignan.
- N. Bonzom / Maxele Presse
"We pay taxes"
Since then, the state and the inhabitants of Aresquiers have engaged in a battle marked by twists and turns, where justice has, in turn, proved both right.
Last episode, on October 8, the State was rejected of its request for the urgent expulsion of the inhabitants of Aresquiers by the summary judge.
A decision that satisfies the cabaniers, and against which the State can still appeal.
"A battle has been won, but we have not yet won the war", notes Fabrice Di Frenna, their lawyer.
"We are not squatters, we have always shown good faith and good will," says Jacky Campla, a resident and president of the association of residents of the Aresquiers canal.
Our ancestors had permissions.
My great-grandfather, in 1923, obtained the right to build a cabin, out of wood and brick.
The constructions are registered, and we pay taxes.
"
Les Aresquiers, in Frontignan.
- N. Bonzom / Maxele Presse
"Nothing ever happened"
In this fight, the inhabitants also argue that there has never been any disaster in Aresquiers, even if they live in a flood zone.
"There have been many episodes of heavy rains in the region," continues the lawyer for the inhabitants.
At Aresquiers, nothing ever happened.
"" The only rise in water there was in 1982, continues Jacky Campla.
There was about twenty centimeters of water on the path, that's all.
The houses have always been preserved.
"And if, one day, the water rose, some homes have a floor, where the inhabitants could take shelter, assures Fabrice Di Frenna.
And there is a peculiarity in this case: the municipality of Frontignan “intervened voluntarily within the framework of this procedure” to support the cabaniers, indicates its lawyer, Chantal Gil.
In order to preserve the cultural heritage that this little piece of land represents.
Historical heritage, too.
“Some have been destroyed and rebuilt.
My family received reconstruction benefits, ”continues Jacky Campla.
The defense of the State did not wish to answer the questions of
20 Minutes
, and the prefecture of Hérault did not respond to our requests for details.
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Languedoc-Roussillon
House
Montpellier
Flood