The Nîmes Court of Appeal (Gard) handed down its decision on Thursday in the context of a case which pitted the small town of Gordes, in Vaucluse, against a Czech multi-billionaire. The latter was accused of having had a villa built completely illegally and in disregard of town planning rules, report our colleagues from Free Midday. The court decided to destroy the property built from 2012.
Two companies, responsible for the construction and works, were judged on appeal after several years of proceedings. The first was sentenced to a fine of 100,000 euros, of which 50,000 euros was suspended. The second will have to pay 250,000 euros and demolish the house for restoration within six months. On the other hand, the billionaire was not directly prosecuted by the courts.
“A little palace”
“We are not buying the town of Gordes,” said the City’s lawyer, civil party, Me Olivier Morice. “A Czech billionaire thought he was getting away with it by wanting to build a small palace in the Luberon in defiance of basic town planning rules. Let it be clear that we do not trample on the town of Gordes without risking heavy sentences,” he declared.
The perched village of Gordes is one of the most beautiful in France according to the label of the same name. It is home to an imposing castle, an abbey and has hosted many artists who made it famous such as André Lhote, Marc Chagall and Victor Vasarely. In 2023, the charming town which faces the Luberon park has even been voted “the most beautiful village in the world” by the American magazine “Travel + Leisure”.
