the mayor of Montalieu-Vercieu rebels against his “France Moche” prize

A dynamic town centre, stone buildings, and flowery streets: the village of Montalieu-Vercieu, in Isère, has almost everything to please. But in October 2021, the town of 3,500 inhabitants received the “France Moche” prize, due to billboards present at the entrance to the city. The town hall filed a complaint. “We consider that there is a significant damage to image and notoriety”explains Christian Giroud, the mayor (SE) of the city. The city councilor notably observed a drop in attendance at the leisure center, as well as a “decline in business activity”.

The mayor and the inhabitants denounce the method used by the association Paysages de France, at the origin of the classification. His prize list is based solely on photos of billboards, around thirty municipalities. “We do not judge a municipality on a roundabout and billboards”annoyed a resident. “I have the balls, because I intend to end my days there. And me, I am in paradise, I swear to you”, adds another. The town hall is claiming 3.5 million euros in compensation. The hearing is scheduled for June 21, at the Grenoble court (Isère).