“We must unite to survive”

The village of Porte-de-Benauge, a wine-growing village in Entre-deux-Mers located near Targon and Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, will soon compete with the Bordeaux metropolis. We're joking of course, this new commune, born from the merger between Arbis and Cantois in 2019, will welcome the neighboring village of Saint-Genis-du-Bois. A union desired by elected officials from both camps and validated by the prefecture. The official wedding is scheduled for 1^is January 2025. The two wine-growing mayors will be able to provide bottles to celebrate the event.

Porte-de-Benauge has 500 inhabitants spread over 17 km². Saint-Genis-du-Bois, 90 inhabitants over 2 km². “I no longer see how small towns can get out of this each on their own,” despairs the mayor of Saint-Genis-du-Bois, Rémi Villeneuve. The councilor tried to merge with the neighbors of the RPI (educational group for schools) which are Coirac, Martres, Saint-Brice and Castelviel. “But these mayors say they don’t want to lose their identity. » The mayor of Saint-Genis-du-Bois therefore turned towards the west.

Save money

“I knew that the merger between Arbis and Cantois had gone well in 2019. We can clearly see that this town is well maintained, that there is a real dynamic,” summarizes Rémi Villeneuve from Saint-Genis-du-Bois. Eric Guérin from Porte-de-Benauge opened his arms to him: “We have made a list of the advantages and disadvantages. The arguments in favor of the merger are more numerous. The most important thing: state subsidies cannot be reduced for several years. In times of budgetary crisis, this is an argument to take into account. »

The panels? We keep the old names and write Porte-de-Benauge below

The ambassador of Porte-de-Benauge lists the projects carried out since the merger between Arbis and Cantois: home delivery of meals for veterans, green waste platform, pooling of municipal employees and opening of the town hall every day of the week. “In Saint-Genis, the town hall is only open half a day per week. Only around ten administrators per year push the door. »

Recalcitrants

Two public meetings were organized on both sides of the border to take the pulse of the population. “There were a few people opposed at the first meeting. The Saint-Genis cultural association showed its defiance by refusing to organize the village festival this year, for example. »And some residents boycotted the reception on November 11 to turn their backs on the village's “gravediggers”. The October meeting in Porte-de-Benauge, where the inhabitants of Arbis and Cantois demonstrated the benefits of the merger, helped to dispel certain fears.

Village entrance signs? “We keep the old names and write Porte-de-Benauge below.” Municipal taxes? “They are smoothed over several years. There is a little catching up to be expected for Saint-Genis, but the consequences are minimal. » The composition of the Municipal Council? “There is a transitional period until the next elections (2026). It will be necessary to appoint the mayor and deputies in January. » Eric Guérin from Porte-de-Benauge would take leadership. Rémi Villeneuve of Saint-Genis-du-Bois would become deputy mayor.

The town hall? “It will be located in Arbis. It’s a little far from the town of Saint-Genis (9 kilometers) but it will be open all week.” Municipal employees? “Everyone agrees,” reassures Rémi Villeneuve. It remains to settle a few details such as addressing or maintaining hunting societies. Next month, the Saint-Génissois will (also) be able to call themselves the Benaugeois.