Biarritz: "It's better, but far from sufficient," the association against nuisances in the city center takes stock

Noise, odors, invasive terraces, members of the Association against nuisances in the city center of Biarritz (ACNB) draw up a bitter report, despite some improvements

As the summer season draws to a close, the Association Against Nuisances in Biarritz City Centre (ACNB), with its 150 members, held its general assembly on Wednesday, September 10. The aim was to take stock of the quality of life in the neighbourhoods and the inconveniences experienced throughout the year.

Even before the meeting began, the association's president, Josette Malaganne, listed the nuisances that still exist. She readily acknowledges: "There has been some improvement in some areas, but it's far from sufficient." Retired, she recalls in detail the genesis of the ACNB, created in 2015 under former mayor Michel Veunac: "We've seen the transformation of Biarritz's city center, with the disappearance of many small businesses replaced by restaurants and bars."

We have seen the transformation of Biarritz city centre, with the disappearance of many small businesses replaced by restaurants and bars.

She recalls this sentence, which was allegedly uttered at a public meeting by the councillor, who was not re-elected in 2020 , against the members of the association: "If you are not happy, you can go and live in Mendionde." According to the members, the former municipal majority wanted to make Biarritz, to their great regret, a city of celebration, recognized throughout the world.

What about today's Biarritz? According to the association's members, the pleasant lifestyle in the city center no longer exists. The proliferation of food shops and bars is partly responsible, with its attendant smells and noise. A city center resident present at the meeting recounted her ordeal: "I can't even read at home. The restaurant across the street is incredibly noisy. It plays music all day, all evening. It's impossible to have people over or have sleeping children."

The restaurant across the street is incredibly noisy. They play music all day, all evening. It's impossible to have people over or have sleeping children.

Odors also seem to bother these downtown residents. According to the association, many restaurants lack properly equipped kitchens, which give off persistent odors that are considered bothersome. However, members note an improvement in noise levels, thanks to a decree on amplified sounds put in place by the current mayor, Maider Arosteguy .

"It's better, but we still have to fight for it to be respected," complains one member. Many regret a bylaw that is insufficiently respected, forcing residents to repeatedly call the police. The association therefore recommends an increase in nighttime patrols by law enforcement, "so as not to ask citizens to do their job."

While the ACNB (timidly) acknowledges the town hall's positive action on this point, it does, however, deplore the sometimes complicated communication with Biarritz's chief magistrate. The association's president mentions several unanswered letters and an unfulfilled promise regarding the authorization of terraces in public spaces, which, according to her, would continue to multiply.

"We're seeing more and more terraces eating into the space. We can't walk around in peace anymore; the city isn't made for residents anymore," laments one local resident. Another describes her struggles getting home in the evening when customers overflow right in front of her house, always with the anxiety of having to ask to be let in.

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