Dozens of Dutch people lost their holiday accommodation in a fire at a campsite in Agde on Tuesday. The Southern French town is popular with a fixed group of Dutch people. Some have been coming there for decades.
“After 48 hours, it is still difficult to comprehend,” says Jacques Bonnier, chairman of the association of Dutch caravan owners at the affected campsite Les Sables d’Or.
On Tuesday around 3:30 PM, a small fire broke out at the campsite. But due to the strong wind, the fire spread rapidly. The site was quickly evacuated. People were able to drive their cars away and, in many cases, only take their passports. From the beach, they had to watch their belongings burn down in a few hours.
Of the 181 destroyed mobile homes, about 35 belonged to Dutch people, Bonnier reports. Many residents had large attached verandas. “People could decorate it themselves as their holiday palace. But everything is now lost.”
Some victims were allowed to collect some remaining items the next day. But in most places, only blackened remains are left. Bonnier’s accommodation also burned down, as did that of his son and daughter who were further down the row.
‘Saying goodbye to a wreck’
The Southern French campsite has been popular with “a close-knit group” of Dutch people for over 45 years, says the chairman. The sixty-year-old Bonnier has been coming there since he was eighteen “and never missed a summer.” According to him, the families and friends see each other three to four times a year at the campsite.
Some residents will unfortunately leave the place. The choice was extra difficult for the older residents, says the chairman. Bonnier: “Some wanted to take one last look at their wreck on Wednesday, as they called it, as a farewell. But the police didn’t let them through.” The campsite is closed until Monday.
The victims still have a lot to arrange. Most are insured for the damage. But many mobile homes are rented out to other holidaymakers during the summer. “Those people are now calling to see if their holiday is still going ahead.”
Bonnier is sure that Dutch people will stay for the reconstruction of the close-knit neighborhood on the French Riviera. He certainly has no doubts: “My whole life is here, I taught my children to walk here. I can assure you: we are staying.”
