Retiree in La Barre‑de‑Monts Earns Up to €9,000 a Month from Unlicensed Parking

A retiree from the coastal town of La Barre‑de‑Monts in France has been running a private parking operation next to the ferry terminal that transports holidaymakers to the car‑free Île d’Yeu. By offering daily rates lower than the licensed providers (between €8 and €12), the site could accommodate about fifty vehicles each day during the peak summer season, generating estimated monthly revenues of €7,000‑€9,000.

Authorities say the retiree never registered the business, paid no taxes or fees, and ignored local urban‑planning rules that prohibit converting private land in the protected coastal zone into commercial parking. The Gendarmerie Nationale uncovered the scheme, and the retiree now faces court proceedings. Mayor Pascal Denis noted that the parking shortage is a recurring issue for the municipality, adding, “Die Parkplatzfrage ist ein Dauerthema. Das gehört zur DNA der Gemeinde.” During the busiest weeks, roughly 3,500 vehicles are parked on private spaces, with local regulations allowing up to nine vehicles per private property since a zoning change five years ago.