“They didn't give me the mountain, I paid for it”: a couple of farmers from Lozère block access to a ski resort

Un couple d’agriculteurs bloquent le passage d’une station de ski dans le Puy-de-Dôme. (Illustration)-MAXPPP – Alexis Sciard

Winter sports enthusiasts from Chastreix-Sancy (Puy-de-Dôme) can no longer enjoy their activities since a farming couple refused to allow a right of way on the mountain tops. The situation does not seem to be improving between the couple and the municipality.

This is a totally crazy situation. In Chastreix-Sancy (Puy-de-Dôme), there is snow, but no skiers can enjoy it. A farmer recently bought land in the commune, and categorically refuses to grant a right of way, allowing skiers and hikers to enjoy the mountain, according to RTL.

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Under the previous owner, a right of way was granted by the farmer on his land so that they could reach the ski areas.

This new farming couple bought 109 hectares of mountain. “There is no more access to the mountain”, declares the mayor, Michel Babut. “We have no other paths, no other choice.”

“It's his property”

The farming couple, who live in Lozère more than 100 km from the ski resort, claim to be within their rights. “They would like everything for free. I wasn't given the mountain, I paid for it”, certifies a member of the couple. They have also installed barbed wire and surveillance cameras.

“It's his property. It's no longer accessible. Forbidden”, summarizes Michel Labut. However, the perimeter in question is not huge, “the width is about 400 meters”, the city councilor emphasizes, according to TF1.

“I sleep very little at the moment. It drives me crazy […] I can't think about anything else”, Dominique confides, offering dog sled rides, which are now forced to go lower. However, the area at the heart of the dispute is minimal, “the width is about 400 meters”, according to the councilor.

A petition launched

A collective, Touche pas à mon Sancy, has launched a petition that has already collected more than 5,000 signatures. The latter wants a right of passage in winter, but also throughout the year