“We have carried out tests, the experts have come, we are right on target. There may be a little noise when people leave the house, but not every day. We are far from noise disturbances,” said Lucas Bruimaud, employee of La Cigale in Royan (Charente-Maritime). Opening in spring 2024, it is one of the few atmospheric bars in the seaside town. Concerts, shows and even plays are held there. Associations and individuals rent space to host events, and schools also benefit from it.
“We are only open from Thursday to Sunday, until 23.30,” explained the employee. Initially, the place was a theater. Eventually, the management shifted to atmospheric bar status, primarily because of parking constraints. However, some local residents consider theaters and concerts too noisy.
Acoustic expertise
“The permits issued by the city hall only apply to cafes, bars and tea rooms (…) However, throughout 2024, most of the evenings offered were jazz, rock and blues concerts. For the 2025-2026 season, a large number of concerts are back on the program. That is why we are angry,” explained the members of the collective in October in a press release carried by the daily “Sud Ouest”.
Legal proceedings before the court of Saintes were carried out, appointing an acoustic expert. “We are waiting for the second expert to come back but on all first analyzes there are no problems. We have installed sound insulation. We are accused of noise pollution when people leave the room. They even feel that the AC unit makes too much noise… All this is taking its toll on us, and it is starting to get annoying. This is childish behavior,” complained Lucas Bruimaud.
A petition “for a long life to Cigale de Royan” was posted online in September by a member of an association that rents space for its activities. “Its closure or restriction would be an attack on culture, living together, and everyone’s right to access a place to share and create. Let us defend this living heritage,” he wrote. As of November 14, nearly 1,500 signatures had been collected.
