Deadly floods of November 1999: the terrible memories of the 6,000 hectares of vines destroyed in Aude 25 years ago

“I will never forget, it remains anchored in me. The first thing that comes back to me is the solidarity of the people who came spontaneously: the paratroopers from the 3rd RPIMa, the Lézignan people, the Lucois of course, and the people from all over France, around a hundred people, most of whom were completely unknown, took the shovel, the broom, waded through the mud and the cold in the cellar to clear this thick accumulated silt. thank them”.

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Deadly floods of November 1999: hour by hour, the story of the real hell experienced in Aude 25 years ago

The estate located on the edge of the Orbieu was completely devastated. “All my life I will remember the sounds of the night”, says Jean-Noël Bousquet, whose wall of the house had been pulverized by the force of the water. “A pier of the bridge gave way, and the current, forcing itself, opened a breach in the wall of my house. All of a sudden, I saw two cars and a tractor tipper coming at full speed, it It took just a little bit for them to crush me.” says Jean-Noël Bousquet, who was trying at that time to plug the breach in his wall. He started from scratch and took 17 years to rebuild Château Grand Moulin in Lézignan. “What made me react to this immense waste was the fate of the employees. They told me: it’s ruined, we’re not going back. It gave me strength: when you are a business leader you are indebted, I couldn't leave them on the sidelines, they are extraordinary people, on whom I have always been able to count. They agreed to roll up their sleeves and worked like crazy. Without them, I would not have been able to rebuild the estate. And then, the start also came from pride. My pride, my refusal to give up. I didn't want to give foment to my enemies, those who thought I was finished, on one knee.”

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Deadly floods of November 1999: 25 years ago in Aude, after the shock, the incredible outpouring of solidarity

Today, he is proud of his domain : “We don't buy land to resell it, but to pass it on. My son developed Grand Moulin and made it a jewel.” 25 years later, what stands out for him, “it’s the human adventure. It makes me say that contrary to what we believe, man is fundamentally good, despite suspicions, doubts… Life is full of opportunities, you have to believe in it.”