Petition as French Riviera Beach Closed for Saudi King

BBC AMERICA: More than 100,000 people have signed a petition against the closure of a beach on the French Riviera to allow Saudi King Salman to holiday in private.

The petition insists the public beach in Vallauris should be "available for the benefit of all".

Authorities sealed off the beach early on Saturday to prevent any protesters from occupying it as King Salman was due to arrive in the area.

The Saudi monarch is expected to stay at his villa for three weeks.

He and his entourage of about 1,000 people arrived at Nice airport on Saturday on board two Saudi Arabian Airlines Boeing 747s.

The king's inner circle is staying at the villa - between Antibes and Marseille - while about 700 others will stay at hotels in Cannes.

Michel Chevillon, president of an association of Cannes' hotel managers, said the visit was "clearly good news" for hotels and the local economy.

"These are people with great purchasing power," he said.

However, the closure of a section of La Mirandole beach beneath the king's villa has outraged many local residents. » | Saturday, July 25, 2015

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François Hollande Urged to Intervene in Bitter Row between Saudi Royalty and French Nudists

The house of King Fahd of Saudi in Golfe Juan, France

THE TELEGRAPH: King Salman of Saudi Arabia has ordered the closure of an entire public beach on the French Riviera, which includes a special area for nudists

Furious French bathers have urged Francois [sic] Hollande, the French president, to step in after a Saudi Arabian king blocked access to a public beach that runs alongside his luxury villa on the Riviera.

Plans for an elevator allowing Saudi royals easier access to the sand have already been approved by the French authorities, while a huge lump of concrete was recently installed on the beach.

Not even fishermen and swimmers are allowed in the area during the king's visit, with the coastguard instructed to move on anyone who dares to swim within three hundred yards of the villa.

Under French law the picturesque Mirandole beach, situated between Antibes and Cannes, is supposed to be open for all to enjoy.

But King Salman has announced plans to block its only entrance with wire fencing ahead of an impending visit.

Now residents have hit back at the royal arrangements with a petition claiming the beach's closure is an affront to France's "most precious democratic values." » | James Rothwell | Monday, July 20, 2015

Related »

Saudi Royals in Hot Water with Riviera Nudists over Access to Public Beach

The house of King Fahd of Saudi in Golfe Juan, France

THE TELEGRAPH: French bathers, including nudists, declare war on Saudi royal family over a bid to privatise a public beach at Vallauris, between Cannes and Antibes, during an upcoming visit

A row has erupted between the Saudi royal family and French bathers who have accused it of commandeering a public Riviera beach ahead of an impending visit as the strip runs right by the monarchs’ luxury villa.

Locals are threatening to sue the Saudi royals over a bid to block an underpass leading to the public Mirandole beach at Vallauris [F] - between Antibes and Cannes - with wire fencing.

They are also furious that workers have begun illegal construction work on a huge concrete slab in the sand as part of the royals’ plan to have the beach all to themselves during their stay.

Under French law, the beach is normally open to local bathers, with part of it reserved for nudists.

The villa is reportedly owned by Muhammad bin Fahd, the eldest surviving son of the late King Fahd, who bought the property around 20 years ago. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Thursday, July 16, 2015

Une plage du sud de la France fermée le temps des vacances du roi saoudien » | jeudi 16 juillet 2015