France’s beaches begin to open with requests to local mayors in Cannes and Nice waiting for approval

France’s beaches begin to open with requests to local mayors in Cannes and Nice waiting for approval

IN France some beaches have now reopened to the public again after decrees to open the sites were made by local mayors.

For example, in Le Conquet, Finistère, two of the town’s beaches are now accessible to the public from 7am to 8pm.

Beaches in La Baule and Pornichet are also open. However, picnics and gatherings of more than 10 people are not allowed.

Access to the sea is possible for individual sports and walking along the beach is permitted, but staying there to sunbathe is not.

In the Alpes-Maritimes, some beaches will reopen this weekend. Cannes, Nice, Antibes, and Cagnes-sur-Mer notably made a request to the prefect (state representative) to reopen.

The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Bernard Gonzalez, said that reopening beaches will be possible only for walking or individual sport practice. Surveillance measures, social distancing, and signage will be put in place.

In the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, mayors of Biarritz, Anglet, Bidart, Guéthary, Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Ciboure, Urrugne and Hendaye have submitted a request to the prefect to be able to reopen beaches this weekend.

They suggest reopening until 7pm every day to avoid late gatherings for picnics or to watch the sunset. The beach would be open to surfers, people who want to swim or who would like to walk or run. However, staying on the beach for hours on a towel will not be permitted.