Fontainebleau: towards a departure of Travelers from the former military grounds of Bréau?

According to elected officials, caravans have been present on the site since 2013. During a hearing before the Fontainebleau judicial court, in April 2024, travelers installed on the former Glières military campat Bréau, at Fontainebleau (Seine et Marne), had indicated that they would soon leave the site… leading to a postponement of the hearing.

The bunker site to accommodate a reception area?

The Pays de Fontainebleau agglomeration, owner of the land, took legal action after a new arrival of caravans in recent weeks. A second hearing is scheduled regarding this case, this Tuesday, May 7, 2024, which this time could result in an expulsion order.

“This is the third time that we have taken legal action since we now have a reception area capable of welcoming nomads in Vulaines-sur-Seine,” explains Pascal Gouhoury, the president of the agglomeration. I hope the decision will affect the entire site. »

However, the agglomeration is not yet in line with the departmental reception plan and must find land for the high-traffic area (read our latest edition) and offer another 60 reception area places.

At the end of last week, although several caravans had indeed left the site, a few nomads were still present on the site. On the side of the Fontainebleau town hall, we recall that it is the oldest nomad settlement in the town and which has sometimes had up to a hundred caravans.

“This probable departure would put an end to illicit occupations, but this does not call into question the need to create a reception area, the only solution to protect against illicit installations in the future,” warns Julien Gondardthe mayor of Fontainebleau.

But the 40-space site, planned for the former NATO bunker, does not have the favor of the Town of Avon. “Our vision is not taken into account regarding this location,” believes Nicolas Pierret, an elected official from Avon who sits on the agglomeration.

And added: “We recognize the legal obligation to provide a reception area (Fontainebleau must offer 17 places, Avon 15 places and Bois-le-Roi 7 places and Samois-sur-Seine 20 places, editor’s note)but this project, which was imposed on us without consultation, is a waste of public money since the agglomeration has provisioned €3.5 million which makes a cost of €87,500 per place when the average cost of a place in France is between €15,000 and €30,000”.

Strategic site

The Avon elected official believes that the land targeted by the court decision – “already waterproofed”, recalls Nicolas Pierret – would be more relevant and less expensive. But on the Fontainebleau and urban area side, other projects are being considered.

“We cannot do the area here, because a silo parking project is planned in the area to absorb parking in the city center,” replies Julien Gondard. And Nicolas Pierret replied: “It’s a political choice… but we would like there to be real consultation for the last land reserve in the agglomeration”

In recent months, the elected officials of Fontainebleau had clarified the roadmap policy regarding the future of Bréau. “We want to prioritize economic development, public facilities that are lacking in the urban area as a third place, but also housing, in reasonable numbers,” lists the mayor of Fontainebleau.

For his part, Pascal Gouhoury believes that the departure of Travelers “should make it possible to work with more serenity in this strategic area. »

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