Famous beach refuses tourists Aug 13, 2009

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One of the most famous beaches of Cote d'Azur can soon become even more exclusive. Environmental considerations are listed as the foremost important reason. The sandy Plage de Pampelonne has stretched out for 5 kilometers. Located between the capes of Saint Tropez and Camarat, the beach belongs to the Ramatuelle commune. A lot of the world's celebrities and other influential people come to spend their vacations at the Saint Tropez beach. Nonetheless, the mayor of the Ramatuelle village, Ronaldo Bruno, has ordered a reduction in the number of cafes and restaurants that crowd the beach and other areas for swimming and sunbathing. The mayor also demanded that other beach cafes and restaurants were closed down for the slow season period. This is the governments way of combating dune erosion states Telegraph.

The tourist invasion of the beach sure helps the economy of the commune, but hurts the beach ecosystem. Out of 12 thousand tourists visiting Saint Tropez in July and August, more than 4 thousand choose to stay at the Pampelonne beach. In response to this fact, the number of sunbeds available at the beach next year will be decreased from 4230 to 2600. As of this day, it has been estimated that tourists order around 130 thousand meals during the month of August at the cafes and restaurants of Pampelonne. Notwithstanding large order numbers, 5 out of the current 27 restaurants will be shut down next year. The owners of the restaurants and the local town people are trying to fight the decision of the authorities in order to prevent all the closings and layoffs. The people maintain that the local economy stands to lose as much as 8 billion Euros per year, and 200 people will lose their jobs. Not too long ago they addressed the Ministry of Ecology with a demand to cancel the changes in Ramatuelle, but their case was unattended. Which is why all the tourist visiting Saint Tropez are asked to sign a petition against the abuses by the government.