The oldest of the Chantecler campsite in Aix-en-Provence, Paulette, 86, killed herself on Thursday October 17, while the permanent residents of the Chantecler campsite are threatened with eviction.
Astonishment gripped the paths of the Chantecler campsite in Aix-en-Provence. On Thursday, one of the six year-round residents killed herself there. Paulette, 86, had lived here for around thirty years and refused to leave her caravan despite threats of eviction, reports France Bleu Provence.
She hanged herself in front of her vehicle, under the arch in her garden where she had planted several trees in recent years.
The police confirmed the theory of suicide, since a letter explaining her motivations was found at her home, details La Provence. At the beginning of the month, she explained to the daily that this story had “destroyed” her and that she had lost around ten kilos.
“I am very shocked to see how it happened. I saw the little lady coming up every day and she stopped to pet the dog,” Olivier, who lives a few meters away, tells local radio.
Like him, residents denounce the way they are being evicted. The campsite must close this Sunday until spring for renovation work: “We were a little heckled, they came to cut off the electricity, then the water… It’s done in the wild.”
“No time to turn around”
At 81, Nadine has decided to pack up her last boxes. She had lived in a mobile home on the campsite for 18 years.
“I had a lot of work done because I imagined staying here, I never thought I would have to leave. The only criticism I have is that we didn’t really have time to turn around,” explains this retiree who is moving to live in an apartment.
According to Nayha, another resident, they have known about the news since August. This mother has been living in a permanent caravan for a year and she is still looking for new accommodation.
“I find myself on the street with three children so it’s not pleasant. Afterwards we understand because it’s a big company, it’s not there to do charity,” she laments.
The campsite was taken over by the Lyon group Huttopia in April 2024 after a judgment from the Aix-en-Provence commercial court. It had belonged to the same family for more than 30 years before being sold last year to an architect, who quickly filed for bankruptcy.
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