in Normandy, a campsite bears the brunt of climate change

On the Normandy coast, in Quiberville-sur-Mer, near Dieppe, the municipality has chosen to anticipate the rise in sea level, by building a new campsite, further from the beach. The old one is almost glued to the water and at the entrance there is a large totem, on which the mark of the December 1999 flood can still be seen. “We had 1.80 meters of water at the highest point of the campsite, emphasizes Anne Vacandère, manager of the Camping de la plage de Quiberville for 16 years. When we will have the bulldozers which will demolish the premises, I will not hide from you that I will have a little twinge in the heart “she admits. “The campsite is declared liable to flooding. We have the coastal risk and the risk of submersion by the Sâane which passes next to it.”

Only 30 meters separate the campsite from the beach. “We are lower than the sea”explains Anne Vacandère.

“A dyke was made a few years ago, but it is not enough now, given the climate change.”

Anne Vacandère, manager of the Quiberville-sur-Mer beach campsite

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The new campsite will of course be further from the coast and higher up. The regulars of the establishment are divided. Philippe, for example, comes from Belgium. For the inhabitants, he understands of course that the campsite is relocating. On the other hand, “for tourism, I understand a little lesshe explains. In good weather, there is less risk of being flooded.” And yet, it has already happened to this camper: “We had the case on May 1, where the river overflowed. A big storm, all the water upstream arrived here. When the tide is high, the river does not empty. So, inevitably, it rises and we , being next to it, we are flooded.”

In the trailer next door, Laurence can imagine the danger very well, “because anyway, we see the sea rise more and more when there are high tides!”

“How do you find suitable financing for such projects? ?”

The new campsite is still under construction. “There will be a small restaurant area possible and we have a swimming pool below.” Jean-François Bloc, the mayor of Quiberville-sur-Mer, was born here. He saw the retreat of the coastline. “We may be anticipating with a few years, but it takes ten years to set up a project, so we can’t do things in a hurry.”

“If a tragedy happened, we would no longer have a campsite for ten years, when it is an essential asset for the municipal budget.”

Jean-François Bloc, Mayor of Quiberville-sur-Mer

at franceinfo

If a tragedy were to happen, we would no longer have a campsite for ten years, when it is an essential asset for the municipal budget”, he adds.

The project is two-thirds funded by Europe, with the construction of a wastewater treatment plant. There remains 1.3 million euros payable by the municipality of 550 inhabitants. The financial stakes are high. “When we know the number of campsites which are along the coast in France and which will have to moveexplains Jean-François Bloc, How do you find suitable financing for such projects? ?” A question, for the moment, without answer on the side of the State.