‘Reinventing’ the Beach? Lessons from a Local Development Plan in the French Riviera

Coastal squeeze is now so tangible both globally and locally that the focus of scientific debate has expanded from the erosion of beaches to the risk of their disappearance. In this context, it is crucial to explore local development plans that aim to preserve the long-term existence of a beach. For this purpose, this article examines the development plan for Pampelonne Beach, a Mediterranean site emblematic of the tension between its roles as an upscale summer resort and a protected natural area, to assess not only its achievements but also its limitations after a decade of implementation. First, we argue that environmental degradation here has stemmed less from mass tourism than from elite practices, especially the permanent encroachment of beach infrastructure on fragile ecosystems. Next, we examine the plan's dual objectives of restoring dunes on land and creating ecological mooring zones at sea, as well as the challenges encountered during its elaboration and execution. Finally, we highlight two critical limitations: the subordination of environmental goals to economic imperatives and the unintended social exclusivity that emerges when protective measures collide with market dynamics.