# Coastal erosion and property disputes in France

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/coastal-erosion-and-property-disputes-in-france
> Updated: 2026-08-24T09:35:01.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Coastal erosion and rising sea levels along the French coast are causing shifts in the maritime public domain (DPM) boundaries. As the shoreline recedes, land previously considered private is being reclassified as part of the public domain, leading to eviction orders for businesses.

In Villeneuve-Loubet, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture has ordered four restaurants to evacuate within four months following a boundary revision in March. Business owners, including Mourad Bouzaiane, have criticized the move as a “disguised expropriation,” noting that the loss of land rights occurs without compensation and threatens livelihoods.

The issue is expanding beyond the French Riviera, with similar disputes emerging in areas such as La Ciotat in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, where property owners are contesting the integration of their land into the public domain.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Coastal erosion forces restaurant evictions in France

French restaurateurs face eviction as coastal erosion and rising sea levels force authorities to redraw maritime public domain boundaries, leading to loss of private property without compensation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coastal-erosion-forces-restaurant-evictions-in-france

### 2026-08-22: Coastal erosion threatens restaurants in Villeneuve-Loubet

Coastal erosion in Villeneuve-Loubet is forcing the closure of four restaurants as rising sea levels shift maritime public domain boundaries, threatening private property without compensation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coastal-erosion-threatens-restaurants-in-villeneuve-loubet

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Cite as: Coastal erosion and property disputes in France. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/coastal-erosion-and-property-disputes-in-france