Bagnolet's holiday village center moving forward with municipality's active efforts for continued vitality

Bagnolet's holiday village center moving forward with municipality's active efforts for continued vitality

Municipality of Villejuif Invests in Affordable Holiday Services

The municipality of Villejuif, located in Val-de-Marne, has made a significant investment in purchasing a farm in the Yonne. This move is part of a response to the growing need for affordable public holiday services.

Meanwhile, the holiday camp owned by the municipality of Bagnolet in Charente-Maritime's Île d'Oléron has a rich history dating back to 1932. The camp was initially established to offer holidays to children of workers from the suburbs, a tradition that continues to this day.

The holiday camp, dormant during the winter months, comes alive during the summer, providing children with an affordable 11-day stay for just 67 euros. This price point makes it accessible for some RSA beneficiaries.

The staff of the holiday camp, who spend the year working with the children in leisure centers, are all from the municipality of Bagnolet. The mayor of Bagnolet, Tony Di Martino, has no intention of selling the holiday camp, considering it a heritage of the city.

The new farm investment in Villejuif is a departure from the municipality's previous holiday centre sale in 1999. However, the farm, which continues to produce fruit and vegetables for the city's crèches, is seen as a more cost-effective and accessible option compared to a holiday centre.

Anne-Gaëlle, adjoint to the mayor of Villejuif (PCF), supports the right to holidays and disconnection as part of public policies. She believes the farm model is the best economic model, meeting several expectations.

This investment in municipal holiday services is reflective of a broader trend in France, where such camps have evolved from social reform initiatives in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to become an integral part of French social and educational policy. The camps promote equal opportunities for vacations and contribute to social integration.

Despite the economic benefits, it's worth noting that 40% of French people do not go on vacation, according to the Observatory of Inequalities. Future investments in municipal holiday camps tend to emphasize modernization, improved infrastructure, expanding activities to include digital and ecological education, and enhancing accessibility for children with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The goal is to adapt to contemporary social needs while preserving their historical mission of providing leisure and education to all children irrespective of their socio-economic status.

In an effort to meet diverse public demands, the municipality of Villejuif is venturing into new territory by investing in a farm, offering affordable home-and-garden experiences to its residents. Meanwhile, the mayor of Bagnolet, Tony Di Martino, recognizes the significance of maintaining the travel camp as a heritage of the city, integrating lifestyle programs into its 11-day affordable holiday package.

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